Trump looks to nominate Raytheon executive as next Army secretary

President Donald Trump is considering a lobbyist for defense contractor Raytheon, Mark Esper, for the position of Secretary of the Army, a person familiar with the matter said.

Before Esper joined US missile-maker Raytheon in 2010, he held posts at Aerospace Industries Association and the US Chamber of Commerce.

A Raytheon representative declined to comment.

Esper will be Trump's third nomination for Army secretary.

Trump's first pick for Army secretary was business executive Vincent Viola. He withdrew his consideration in February because of his financial holdings.

His second pick was Mark Green, who also withdrew himself from consideration after making controversial statements about Islam, transgender rights, and gay marriage.

NOW WATCH: The US spent $611 billion on its military in 2016 - more than the next 8 countries combined