The Senate has confirmed John Phelan, co-founder and chairman of private investment firm Rugger Management, as the new secretary of the Navy. Lawmakers on Monday voted 62-30 in favor of Phelan’s appointment, Senate.gov reported.
Who Is John Phelan?
Phelan is the seventh non-veteran to serve as Navy secretary in the last 70 years, noted Navy Times, and the first since Donald Winter, also a business leader, stepped down from the role in 2009.
When his nomination was announced in November, then-president-elect Donald Trump touted Phelan’s business background for his selection.
The chief executive said Phelan will “put the business of the U.S. Navy above all else,” according to Breaking Defense.
Phelan to Prioritize Shipbuilding
In his opening statement at his confirmation hearing in February, Phelan shared that, if confirmed, he would focus on shipbuilding acquisition programs.
“The president has been very consistent when he spoke with me: shipbuilding, shipbuilding shipbuilding,” he told lawmakers.
He also spoke about the military’s current approach to shipbuilding. Phelan commented on the seeming lack of urgency.
“It’s almost as if you’re waiting for a crisis to happen to ignite things,” he added.
Phelan is expected to be sworn in as Navy secretary in the coming days.
