The Honorable Carlos Del Toro

The Honorable Carlos Del Toro was sworn in as the 78th Secretary of the Navy on August 9, 2021. As Secretary, he was responsible for over 900,000 Sailors, Marines, reservists, and civilian personnel and an annual budget exceeding $210 billion. His priorities included securing the training and equipment that successful naval operations demand and addressing the most pressing challenges confronting the US Navy and Marine Corps – China’s naval ambitions, climate instability, COVID-19’s ongoing impact, and strengthening a naval culture of inclusiveness and respect.

Born in Havana, Cuba, Del Toro immigrated to the U.S. with his family as refugees in 1962. He was raised in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of New York City and attended public schools. He was appointed to the United States Naval Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering. Upon graduating in 1983, Secretary Del Toro was commissioned as a Surface Warfare Officer.

His 22-year naval career included a series of critical appointments and numerous tours of duty at sea – including First Commanding Officer of the guided missile destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84); Senior Executive Assistant to the Director for Program Analysis and Evaluation in the Office of the Secretary of Defense; and Special Assistant to the Director and Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget – where he helped manage the budgets of DOD, the U.S. Department of State, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Reconnaissance Office, and the Peace Corps.

After retiring as Commander, Secretary Del Toro founded SBG Technology Solutions, Inc. in 2004. As its CEO and President, he supported defense programs across many immediate and long-term Department of the Navy issue areas, including shipbuilding, AI, cybersecurity, acquisition programs, space systems, health, and training.

He holds a Master’s in National Security Studies from the Naval War College, a Master’s in Space Systems Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Master’s in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University.

Secretary Del Toro and his wife have four children and a granddaughter.