Eric Kenneth Fanning (born July 2, 1968) is an American politician and businessman who is the current President and CEO of Aerospace Industries Association and served as the 22nd United States Secretary of the Army, holding office from May 18, 2016 to January 20, 2017.
Prior to his appointment as Secretary of the Army, Fanning was the 24th United States Under Secretary of the Air Force.
He was the first openly gay head of any service in the U.S.
military.
He spent most of the preceding 25 years in government service.
He worked as a Congressional staffer and consultant before joining the United States Department of Defense, where he held Army, Navy, and Air Force civilian leadership positions.