“It is a pleasure and a privilege to welcome Ambassador Braithwaite into the FMM Board of Directors as Chairman,” said George Moutafis, chief executive of Fincantieri Marine Group. “His unique experience and vantage point on our Navy’s and Nation’s needs will prove invaluable, and we are fortunate to have him.”
Braithwaite is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and holds a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, with active naval service that included anti-submarine aviation missions and public affairs duties aboard USS America. He retired from the Navy Reserve as a rear admiral after deployments including Operation Iraqi Freedom and disaster assistance in Pakistan following the 2005 earthquake.
His civilian career included executive roles at Atlantic Richfield, healthcare leadership positions, and senior management at Vizient, Inc., before diplomatic service as U.S. ambassador to Norway. He was sworn in as the 77th Secretary of the Navy on 29 May 2020 during President Donald Trump’s first administration.
Braithwaite joins a board that includes former Wisconsin governor James Doyle and retired Vice Admiral Ronald Boxall, alongside former senior defence acquisition officials Steffanie Easter and James Geurts. Fincantieri Marinette Marine said it remains the most modern government shipbuilding yard in the United States and a central part of parent company Fincantieri’s integrated shipyard system in Wisconsin.
