William Toti will perform the duties of Navy under secretary, the service announced last week.

Toti previously advised Deputy Defense Secretary Steve Feinberg on submarine construction and spent 26 years on active duty with the Navy and 17 years in the defense industry, according to the service.

The move comes two weeks after the departure of Navy Secretary John Phelan, which was announced abruptly on social media by Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell. Under Secretary Hung Cao has been serving as acting Navy secretary since the announcement and spoke in a keynote address at Modern Day Marine last week.

The Navy leadership shakeup comes amid a U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of the Hormuz, the service’s fiscal year 2027 budget rollout, continued strikes on alleged drug boats surrounding Latin America as well as the removal of other Pentagon officials.