Vincent Viola, founder and executive chairman of electronic trading firm Virtu Financial, will be nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to the no. 1 civilian post at the U.S. Army, the transition team said Monday.
Viola led multiple high-performing teams during his time with the Army as an infantry officer and supported national security efforts even after he retired from military service.
He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1977, served in the 101st Airborne Division and remained an Army Reserve member after he left active duty.
He also helped establish the Combating Terrorism Center in West Point, New York, as part of his post-9/11 philanthropic support to the service branch.
His private-sector career also includes time as a trader and chairman at the New York Mercantile Exchange as well as founder of various companies that include Pioneer Futures and the Independent Bank Group.