“These are important times for the Marine Corps and the Navy. Thousands of brave Marines and sailors are engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan, while courageous thousands more carry out hazardous duties around the globe. These incredible, wonderful young Americans all volunteered to serve and are defending and representing the United States and all of us.” — Secretary of the Navy Raymond E. Mabus Jr., Mississippi ’69

On May 18, the United States Senate confirmed the appointment by President Barack Obama of Raymond Mabus Jr., Mississippi ’69, as secretary of the Navy.

The secretary of the Navy is responsible for conducting all the affairs of the Department of the Navy, including recruiting, organizing, supplying, equipping, training and mobilizing. Leading the Navy and Marine Corps, Mabus will be responsible for an annual budget in excess of $150 billion and almost 900,000 people.

Additionally, he will oversee the construction, outfitting and repair of naval ships, equipment and facilities and is responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies and programs that are consistent with the national security policies and objectives established by the president and secretary of defense.

Prior to joining the administration of President Obama, Mabus served in a variety of top posts in government and the private sector. In 1988, he was elected governor of Mississippi where he stressed education and job creation. In 1994, he was appointed ambassador to Saudi Arabia where, during his tenure, the Kingdom officially abandoned the boycott of U.S. businesses that trade with Israel.

Previously, Mabus was chairman and chief executive officer of Foamex, a large manufacturing company, and served as a Navy surface warfare officer aboard the cruiser USS Little Rock. Mabus was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy through the Naval ROTC program at Ole Miss.

He is a member of the RAND Center for Mid-East Public Policy and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Mabus has served as a distinguished lecturer on the Middle East at the University of Mississippi.

Mabus received a bachelors degree, suma cum laude, from the University of Mississippi, a Masters of Arts degree in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University and a law degree, magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School. He resides in Ridgeland, Miss., with his wife Lynne, and their three daughters.