RTN Raytheon Co

By Ben Kesling 

WASHINGTON -- President Donald Trump announced Wednesday he has nominated a defense industry executive, Mark Esper, to be secretary of the Army

Mr. Esper is the president's third pick to lead the Army, after previous choices withdrew due to potential ethical conflicts or political controversy. Mr. Trump's first nominee for Navy secretary also withdrew his name from consideration.

Mr. Esper most recently served as a vice president for government relations at the Raytheon Corp., a major defense contractor and supplier.

Before his work at Raytheon, Mr. Esper served as a staffer and aide in Congress, at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as well as the chief of staff at the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank in Washington, according to a biography released by Raytheon.

He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and was a member of the Army's 101st Airborne Division, where he served a combat tour in the Gulf War, according to Raytheon.

Mr. Trump's first choice for Army secretary, and his first choice for Navy secretary, withdrew their names from consideration citing concerns that their business interests couldn't be reconciled with ethics requirements in holding the position.

The most recent nominee to drop out of the running was Mr. Trump's second choice for Army secretary, who withdrew his name after criticisms by lawmakers and activists over positions he took on issues including homosexuality and evolution.

Write to Ben Kesling at benjamin.kesling@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 19, 2017 21:38 ET (01:38 GMT)

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