President-elect Donald Trump has named Vincent Viola, a veteran of Fort Campbell’s 101st Airborne Division, to be the next Secretary of the Army.
Viola, a billionaire businessman and owner of the National Hockey League's Florida Panthers, was named by Trump’s transition team Monday.
Viola was born in Brooklyn, New York and graduated West Point in 1977 before receiving a lieutenant’s commission to serve as an Airborne Rangers infantry officer at Fort Campbell. Viola remained in the U.S. Army Reserve for years after active service.
After 9-11, he helped fund creation of the ‘Combating Terrorism Center’ at West Point.
Viola bought the Panthers for $250 million in 2013.
Trump’s transition team says Viola is “living proof of the American dream.”
