Carlos Del Toro
78th United States Secretary of the Navy
Assumed office
August 9, 2021
PresidentJoe Biden
DeputyJames Geurts (acting)
Meredith Berger (acting)
Erik Raven
Preceded byKenneth Braithwaite
Personal details
Born1961 (age 62–63)
Havana, Cuba
SpouseBetty Del Toro
Children4
EducationUnited States Naval Academy (BS)
Naval Postgraduate School (MS)
Naval War College (MA)
George Washington University (MPS)
Military service
Branch/serviceUnited States Navy
RankCommander

Carlos Del Toro (born 1961)[1] is a Cuban-American entrepreneur and retired United States Navy officer who serves as the 78th United States Secretary of the Navy since 2021.[2][3]

Early life and education

Del Toro was born in Havana, Cuba and immigrated to the United States with his parents as a child. He was raised in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan. Del Toro earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the United States Naval Academy in 1983.[3] Del Toro later earned a Master of Arts in national security studies from the Naval War College and also a Master of Professional Studies degree in legislative affairs from George Washington University.[4]

Career

Del Toro was a White House Fellow in 1998–1999. Founded in 1964, the White House Fellowship is one of America’s most prestigious programs for leadership and public service. The Fellowship, awarded on a strictly non-partisan basis, offers exceptional young leaders first-hand experience working at the highest levels of federal government.

Del Toro served in the United States Navy for 22 years, retiring with the rank of commander. During his service, Del Toro served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and special assistant to the director and deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget. He was also the commanding officer of the USS Bulkeley.[5]

After retiring from the Navy, Del Toro founded SBG Technology Solutions, Inc., a program management and engineering firm that primarily works with government clients.[6][7][8] In 2007 Del Toro was the Democratic candidate to represent the 88th District in the Virginia House of Delegates.[9] He lost to Republican incumbent, Mark Cole.[10][11] He served on the University of Mary Washington Board of Visitors from 2014 to 2018.[12][13] From 2019 until 2021, Del Toro sat on the board of directors of the Stimson Center, a Washington-based security think tank.[14]

Secretary of the Navy

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin swears in Del Toro as the 78th secretary of the Navy at the Pentagon, August 24, 2021.

Del Toro's nomination as Secretary of the Navy was announced by President Joe Biden on June 11, 2021[6][7] and received by Congress on June 17.[15] Del Toro's nomination received praise from Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed, who described the nominee as an "excellent selection."[16]

During a July 13 committee confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Del Toro received "mostly friendly" questions from senators, although some Republicans expressed concerns about the size and perceived inadequacy of President Biden's FY2022 defense budget and America's commitment and ability to defend Taiwan amidst rising US–China tensions and a recent American failure to defend the island nation in a military simulation.[17][18]

In regard to the budget, Del Toro supported the Navy's plan to field 355 ships by 2030, but noted that the service would require more funds.[18] In regard to Taiwan, Del Toro affirmed his commitment to the island's protection and stated that he would be "exclusively focused on the China threat" and seek to protect American security interests in the Indo-Pacific.[19] Del Toro also expressed an intention to focus on climate change and modernization efforts.[18][19][20]

On July 27, the Senate Armed Services Committee approved Del Toro's nomination, advancing him to the full Senate.[15][21][17] On August 7, 2021, his nomination was confirmed by voice vote.[22] He assumed office on August 9, 2021, and was ceremonially sworn in on August 24, 2021.[23]

Controversy

In April 2023, the Military Religious Freedom Foundation shared a video of a town hall meeting where Del Toro made seemingly homophobic comments. When asked about combating homophobia in the navy, Del Toro said, "The battles that you face... they're defined by your choice to be homosexual." Del Toro's comments were criticized as promoting homosexuality as a "choice", and also being oblivious to homophobia within the military. Del Toro later clarified that he was "an unequivocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community," and was talking about "an individual's decision to share their sexual orientation."[24]

Personal life

Del Toro has a wife, Betty Del Toro. They have four children and three grandchildren.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy on Active Duty. Bureau of Naval Personnel. October 1, 1990. p. 88. Retrieved 2021-06-12.
  2. ↑ "Guantanamo says goodbye to last Cuban 'commuters'". AP News. December 14, 2012.
  3. 1 2 "Biden to nominate Del Toro as Navy secretary". POLITICO. 11 June 2021. Retrieved 2021-06-11.
  4. ↑ Eckstein, Megan (2021-06-11). "White House to nominate retired commander, business leader Carlos Del Toro as Navy secretary". Defense News. Retrieved 2021-06-11.
  5. ↑ Losey, Stephen (2021-06-11). "White House to Tap Former Destroyer Captain Carlos Del Toro as Navy Secretary". Military.com. Retrieved 2021-06-11.
  6. 1 2 3 "President Biden Announces Seven Key Nominations". The White House. 2021-06-11. Retrieved 2021-06-11.
  7. 1 2 "UPDATED: White House Taps Carlos Del Toro as SECNAV Nominee". USNI News. 2021-06-11. Retrieved 2021-06-11.
  8. ↑ "White House to nominate Carlos Del Toro as Navy secretary". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 2021-06-11.
  9. ↑ "Del Toro to challenge Del Mark Cole". Free Lance-Star. 2007-02-07. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
  10. ↑ "Howell, Orrock, Cole are Winners". Free Lance-Star. 2007-11-07. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
  11. ↑ "2007 House of Delegates General Election District 88". Virginia Department of Elections. 2007-11-07. Retrieved 2023-07-25.
  12. ↑ "Del Toro Appointed to UMW BOV After Tate Resigns". Free Lance-Star. 2014-07-19. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  13. ↑ "UMW Board of Visitors Past Members". University of Mary Washington. 2023-08-17. Retrieved 2023-08-17.
  14. ↑ "President Biden nominates Stimson Board Member for Secretary of the Navy • Stimson Center". 11 June 2021.
  15. 1 2 "PN713 — Carlos Del Toro — Department of Defense". congress.gov. United States Congress. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  16. ↑ Eckstein, Megan (July 11, 2021). "White House to nominate retired commander, business leader Carlos Del Toro as Navy secretary". Defense News. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  17. 1 2 Kenney, Caitlin M. (July 29, 2021). "The Naval Brief: SecNav nomination advances; Masks return indoors; Wargaming fail; and more". Defense One. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  18. 1 2 3 Shane III, Leo (July 13, 2021). "Navy secretary nominee supports expanding fleet, but says more money is needed". Military Times. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  19. 1 2 Khell, Rebecca (July 13, 2021). "Navy secretary nominee pledges to be 'exclusively focused on the China threat'". The Hill. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  20. ↑ Doornbos, Caitlin (July 13, 2021). "Biden's pick for Navy secretary tells senators he supports modernization over more ships in 2022 budget". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  21. ↑ "SASC Advances Nominations of Del Toro, Cisneros, Miller, Karlin, Connor, 1,986 Military Promotions" (Press release). Washington, D.C.: Senate Armed Services Committee. July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  22. ↑ "PN713 – Nomination of Carlos Del Toro for Department of Defense, 117th Congress (2021–2022)". www.congress.gov. 2021-08-07. Retrieved 2021-08-09.
  23. ↑ "Carlos Del Toro". www.navy.mil. Retrieved 2021-08-10.
  24. ↑ Ziezulewicz, Geoff; Dozier, Kimberly (April 11, 2023). "Navy secretary: chaplain defined by 'choice' to identify as gay". Navy Times. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
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