Eric Fanning, who served as Army secretary under former President Barack Obama and was the first openly gay service secretary, has been named president and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association, the organization announced on Monday.
Fanning will take over on Jan. 1, succeeding David Melcher, a retired Army three-star general who was CEO of Exelis Inc.
“Eric is an accomplished, respected leader whose broad government and national security experience will serve AIA and its member companies well,” said AIA Chairman Dennis Muilenburg, who is also Boeing’s chairman. “Building on the significant progress made under Dave Melcher’s leadership, Eric will strengthen AIA’s position as the voice of the aerospace and defense industry, bringing continued attention and advocacy to key issues affecting civil aviation, space and defense. We owe Dave our enduring gratitude for his tireless advocacy and many contributions to our industry.”
Last month, Fanning joined former Navy Secretary Ray Mabus and former Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James in a request for a preliminary injunction of President Trump’s ban on transgender military members. The request was filed Aug. 31 in a D.C. district court.
The former Obama administration service secretaries said they were not aware of any harm to the military caused by the decision last year to allow open service following a study. “To the contrary, I am aware of commanders who believed that transgender service members under their command were capable and well-qualified to serve,” Fanning said.
The AIA announcement pointed out that Fanning has served as chief of staff for the secretary of defense, acting Air Force secretary and deputy undersecretary of the Navy.
“Fanning is well known in Washington, D.C., and to AIA member companies for his ability to deliver results at the strategic level,” the AIA announcement said. “He is the only person to have held senior appointments in all three military departments and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.”
At AIA, Fanning will advocate for “stable budgets,” which would involve efforts to end spending caps under the Budget Control Act.
“For us to continue leading the world demands strong leadership in foreign policy and national security, stable budgets, a vibrant economy where everyone has the opportunity to live the American dream, and the prosperity to create a skilled workforce capable of taking advantage of good-paying jobs that support families and communities,” Fanning said in the statement. “As we navigate this dynamic environment, our nation expects that we will properly equip our forces and allies, ensure safety in commercial aviation, and build an environment that inspires space travel and the minds that create it.”
