Top Financier John Phelan Poised to Make Waves as the Next Navy Secretary

A late Tuesday statement announced that financier John Phelan has been selected as Donald Trump’s choice for the future Secretary of the Navy. Phelan is the founder of Rugger Management LLC, a private equity firm that was previously the chairman and chief investment officer of the company that managed Michael Dell, the founder of Dell Technologies, and his fortune. Additionally, he is on the board of the nonpartisan Spirit of America organization, which supports American military overseas and has previously sponsored troops in Ukraine.  According to a tweet by Trump on the social media platform Truth Social, “John will be a tremendous force for our Naval Servicemembers, and a steadfast leader in advancing my America First vision.”

“The U.S. Navy’s business will be his top priority.” Phelan played a significant role in the Trump campaign’s fundraising efforts, including throwing the president-elect a dinner at his Aspen, Colorado, home in August. Phelan, who got his MBA from Harvard Business School, is originally from Coral Gables, Florida, and graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, in 1986. He is on the boards of trustees for the Aspen Art Museum and the Whitney Museum of American Art in addition to being a passionate art collector. The statement from Trump reads, “John will deliver real results for our Navy and our Country.” “I am eager to collaborate with him.”