Richard Spencer, former U.S. secretary of the Navy, has been selected to replace John Rothwell as chairman of Perth, Australia-based Austal. Rothwell will step down on Monday after nearly four decades in the role.
As Austal’s new chair, Spencer said he will build on Rothwell’s yearslong work, which enabled the company to achieve its current position in the U.S. and Australian defense industry landscape.
Spencer served as Navy secretary from August 2017 to November 2019. Before his latest appointment, he was part of the Pentagon Defense Business Board advisory panel and Chief of Naval Operations Executive Panel. He also spent five years as a naval aviator in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Now 80 years old, Rothwell said the time is right to step back from his role. According to the outgoing chair, Spencer was selected as his replacement for his excellent character, strong business acumen, in-depth knowledge of the U.S. defense industrial base, and enduring relationships with the Australian and U.S. defense sectors.
According to the global shipbuilding company, Rothwell will serve as a non-executive board member during a transition period to continue supporting the defense contractor as it enters a new phase of growth.
