By: Leo Shane III
President Donald Trump has tapped businessman Philip Bilden to take over as Secretary of the Navy, touting his military intelligence experience and cybersecurity expertise as perfect for the post.
Bilden has spent most of his career as a Hong Kong-based venture capitalist with HarbourVest Partners, a global private-equity investment firm.
For months, Washington insiders had expected former Virginia Rep. Randy Forbes, a Trump supporter, to be selected for the post. But Bilden’s name emerged in recent weeks as the front-runner to replace departed Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, and Trump made it official on Wednesday.
“As Secretary of the Navy, Philip Bilden will apply his terrific judgement and top-notch management skills to the task of rebuilding our unparalleled Navy,” Trump said in a statement. “Our number of ships is at the lowest point that it has been in decades. Philip Bilden is the right choice to help us expand and modernize our fleet, including surface ships, submarines and aircraft, and ensure America’s naval supremacy for decades to come.”
In a statement released by the White House, Bilden said he was humbled by the nomination.
Read the full story at MilitaryTimes