Eric Fanning
Totally Eminently Qualified - Episode Description
Totally, eminently qualified was how Senator John McCain describe our guest, Eric Fanning, during his confirmation to be Secretary of the Army. In a career that weaves in and out of senior roles in government and industry, currently as CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association, Fanning was often the first gay person to occupy those heights. Yet that rarely comes up publicly, the focus is on his qualifications. Still, his sexual orientation played an important role in the way he developed as a leader. Being gay gave him perspective on himself and those he served that helped shape him into a leader of teams capable of incredible things and thriving through change.
Totally, eminently qualified was how Senator John McCain describe our guest, Eric Fanning, during his confirmation to be Secretary of the Army. In a career that weaves in and out of senior roles in government and industry, currently as CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association, Fanning was often the first gay person to occupy those heights. Yet that rarely comes up publicly, the focus is on his qualifications. Still, his sexual orientation played an important role in the way he developed as a leader. Being gay gave him perspective on himself and those he served that helped shape him into a leader of teams capable of incredible things and thriving through change.
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Highlights
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Guest Biography
Eric Fanning is President and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association. As AIA’s leader, he develops strategic priorities and works with member company CEOs to advocate for policies and investment that bolsters innovative capacity and spur our economic growth. He joined AIA after serving as the 22nd Secretary of the Army, where, as the first openly gay secretary of a military service, he provided leadership and oversight to the largest branch of service. He is the only person to have held senior appointments in all three military departments and the Office of the Secretary of Defense, previously serving as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Defense, Acting Secretary of the Air Force and Under Secretary of the Air Force, and Deputy Under Secretary of the Navy/Deputy Chief Management Officer. In these roles, he helped spearhead budgets, personnel planning, and weapons systems and equipment acquisition. Prior to his roles at the Pentagon and AIA, Fanning worked on the staff of the House Armed Services Committee and as Senior Vice President of Strategic Development for Business Executives for National Security. He was also the Deputy Director of the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism and was associate director of political affairs at the White House. Eric has been appointed to a number of bipartisan and nonpartisan boards and commissions. Fanning holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Dartmouth College. His awards include the Department of Defense’s Medal for Distinguished Public Service (twice awarded), the Department of the Army’s Decoration for Distinguished Civilian Service, the Department of the Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award (twice awarded), and the Department of the Air Force’s Distinguished Public Service Award and Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service. |
Show Notes
Season 2, Episode 2 
Credits
Guest: Eric Fanning Host: Liz Cavallaro Host: Bree Fram Audio: Frieda Garcia |