Richard V. Spencer becomes 76th secretary of the U.S. Navy

The U.S. Navy now has its 76th secretary of the navy after White House nominee Richard V. Spencer was sworn in on August 3.

The former U.S. Marine pilot assumes the role two days after being confirmed in a Senate hearing.

Spencer most recently served as Managing Partner for investment company Fall Creek Management, LLC.

Spencer is Trump’s second Secretary of the Navy nominee after Philip Bilden, Trump’s first nominee for the role, withdrew himself from consideration, citing privacy and financial sacrifices as the main reason behind the decision.

Speaking before the Senate Armed Services Committee on August 1, Spencer indicated he would not be chasing Trump’s 350-ship navy goal at all costs pointing to the possibility of achieving the desired capability with a 300-ship navy.

Spencer is taking over from Sean J. Stackley who assumed the role of acting navy secretary after Ray Mabus, the 75th navy secretary, retired on January 6. With his eight years of service, Mabus became the navy’s longest serving secretary since World War I.