Financier with Asia expertise to lead Navy, Marine Corps - The San Diego Union-Tribune: Philip Bilden spent most of his career in Hong Kong finance circles at HarbourVest International Private Equity Partners.
President Donald Trump announced the nomination on Wednesday, saying Bilden will “apply his terrific judgment and top-notch management skills to the task of rebuilding our unparalleled Navy.”
Bilden’s military experience was 10 years in the Army Reserve as a military intelligence officer, between 1986 and 1996. One of his reserve assignments was at the Defense Intelligence Agency.
It appears that Bilden parlayed involvement on Navy charitable boards into friendships with influential people in the Navy establishment.
Trump touted Bilden’s “longstanding trusted relationships with senior military leaders” gained through his volunteerism with the United States Naval Academy and Naval War College foundations.
Reaction on Wednesday was mixed.
