Mark Thomas Esper (born April 26, 1964) is an American lobbyist and former government administrator for the United States Department of Defense.
Esper is the 27th and current United States Secretary of Defense since July 2019.
He was the 23rd United States Secretary of the Army from November 2017 until July 2019.
He served as Vice President of government relations at Raytheon.

Esper studied at United States Military Academy, Harvard University and at George Washington University.

On July 19, 2017, it was announced that President Donald Trump had the intention of nominating Esper to become U.S. Secretary of the Army.
He is Trump's third nominee for the position, following the withdrawals of Vincent Viola and Mark E. Green.
He was confirmed by the Senate on November 15, 2017.
He resigned on June 24, 2019 to become acting Defense Secretary.

President Donald Trump announced on June 18, 2019, that Esper would become acting Secretary of Defense.
Three days later, Trump nominated Esper to serve the job full time.
On July 23, 2019, his nomination was confirmed by a vote of 90–8.
Mark Thomas Esper (born April 26, 1964) is an American lobbyist and former government administrator for the United States Department of Defense. Esper is the 27th and current United States Secretary of Defense since July 2019. He was the 23rd United States Secretary of the Army from November 2017 until July 2019. He served as Vice President of government relations at Raytheon.
Esper studied at United States Military Academy, Harvard University and at George Washington University.
On July 19, 2017, it was announced that President Donald Trump had the intention of nominating Esper to become U.S. Secretary of the Army. He is Trump's third nominee for the position, following the withdrawals of Vincent Viola and Mark E. Green. He was confirmed by the Senate on November 15, 2017. He resigned on June 24, 2019 to become acting Defense Secretary.
President Donald Trump announced on June 18, 2019, that Esper would become acting Secretary of Defense. Three days later, Trump nominated Esper to serve the job full time. On July 23, 2019, his nomination was confirmed by a vote of 90–8.
Mark Esper