WASHINGTON -- Billionaire Florida hockey team owner Vincent Viola is known more for his business success and sports deals than his military acumen. Cheap Detroit Red Wings Jerseys . But the 1977 West Point graduate, President-elect Donald Trumps choice for Army secretary, has maintained his service ties since leaving active duty.While he has steadily built a financial empire -- listed 374th on Forbes Magazines top 400 with a net worth of $1.8 billion -- he also has poured money and time into the military academy. Viola was a key donor for the creation of West Points Combating Terrorism Center and has supported cadet programs.And as owner of the National Hockey Leagues Florida Panthers, he has sent the team to West Point for training, and there are several West Point graduates and military veterans working in the front office.If he is confirmed by the Senate, Viola will take over as civilian head of an Army struggling to recoup and recapitalize after more than 15 years at war. Under current plans, the Army would continue to downsize from a high of about 570,000 at the peak of the Iraq war, to 450,000 by 2019.Legislation not yet finalized for the next budget year would stall that drawdown at 476,000 soldiers, which is a bit higher than the current size of about 470,000.As secretary, Viola would be responsible for all management, budget, acquisition, personnel and base issues for a vast network of about 150 permanent installations around the world. Army soldiers are deployed in about 140 countries.Viola would replace Eric Fanning, who became secretary this year after spending the last eight years in various leadership positions across the Army, Navy, Air Force and Defense Department, including acting secretary of two services and chief of staff for Defense Secretary Ash Carter. Fannings tenure gave him extensive experience navigating the enormous and complicated Pentagon administrative and fiscal infrastructure -- a key challenge for any successor.A Brooklyn native, Viola paid $250 million for the Florida Panthers and is a past chairman of the New York Mercantile Exchange.He is founder of several businesses, including Virtu Financial, an electronic trading firm. Viola has a stake in the company worth $1.5 billion, based on figures the firm sent in April to regulators.Virtu is a so-called market maker, acting as a middle man selling stocks and other assets to people who want to buy them and buying from people who want to sell.The company operates in the somewhat controversial high-speed trading industry in which firms use super-fast computers and algorithms to spot fleeting opportunities in stock and bond markets. The practice accounts for most stock trading during the day. Advocates say it provides more trading opportunities. Critics say it gives an unfair advantage to a few firms, and could lead to more spikes and plunges in prices.In a statement Monday, President-elect Donald Trump praised Viola, whose father came to the U.S. from Italy, as living proof of the American dream and someone who has long been engaged with national security issues.Violas was the first member of his family to attend college. He trained as an Airborne Ranger infantry officer and served in the 101st Airborne Division. He is a 1983 graduate of New York Law School.---Associated Press Writer Bernard Condon in New York contributed to this report. Cheap Red Wings Jerseys . From filmmaker Nanette Burstein (On the Ropes), The Price of Gold revisits the saga that rocked the figure skating world ahead of the 1994 Lillehammer Olympic Winter Games: the assault on Nancy Kerrigan, and the plot that led its way back to her rival Tonya Harding. Adidas Xavier Ouellet Jersey . Kuznetsov, who was selected by the Capitals in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, has been playing for his hometown team Chelyabinsk Traktor of the KHL. http://www.cheapredwingsjerseys.com/?tag=adidas-danny-dekeyser-jersey . Uniteds eighth defeat of a wretched campaign means Liverpool, which currently occupies the fourth and final Champions League place, could go nine points clear of its fierce rival by beating West Bromwich Albion on Sunday. Charlie Adam scored both of Stokes goals at Britannia Stadium either side of Robin van Persies equalizer, with a miserable day for seventh-place United capped by first-half injuries to centre halves Jonny Evans and Phil Jones that forced them off. When 6-foot-10, 240-pound Minnesota Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng flattened 5-9 Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas with a moving screen, the fiery underdog popped right up and got right in Diengs face to let him know he wasnt about to be pushed around.Thomas has never let his smaller frame hold him back from excelling in the land of giants. In his sixth season in the league, Thomas is playing bigger than ever.The Boston Celtics guard is averaging a career-high 26.1 points and has helped the Celtics stay afloat while Al Horford and Jae Crowder missed big chunks of time with injuries. Thomas is averaging more than nine free throw attempts per game, using that fearlessness that turned him into an All-Star to drive the Celtics offense.He puts pressure on the defense just because he is in constant attack mode, Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. Hes always live. Hes always a threat and hes got great explosion in his drives.Diengs screen on Thomas, and the fiery guards reaction, woke the Celtics up in the second half and helped spark a rally from 13 points down to start the fourth quarter to a 99-93 victory.I mean, Im already little, man, Thomas said of his reaction to Diengs screen. You dont need to hit me that hard to get your man open. But when they try to take me out, thats when I get a little (angry).Now that Horford has returned from nine games off because of a concussion and Crowder is working his way back from a sprained left ankle, the Celtics are positioning themselves to start taking off. They play at Miami on Monday, host Detroit and Sacramento on Wednesday and Friday and finish the week at Philadelphia as they try to work their way up the Eastern Conference ladder.And even though Horford got the big payday over the summer, the green still revolves around the smallest guy on the roster.Hes a tough cover, Timberwolves coach Tom Thibodeau said. Hes got a great hesitation. Hell throw his body into you. He can sell it. Hes clever. Hes got a lot of different ways he can finish.---WELCOME BACKThe Neew Orleans Pelicans appeared lost through the first three weeks of the season as star Anthony Davis languished in the middle of a banged-up roster with little talent around him. Adidas Jonathan Ericsson Jersey. One of the biggest issues was the absence of point guard Jrue Holiday, who missed the first 12 games to be by his wifes side while she underwent brain surgery.The Pelicans were 2-10 in those games before Holiday returned and 4-0 in his first four games back in the lineup. Coach Alvin Gentry brought him off the bench to provide some balance and scoring punch while he worked his way back into playing shape.New Orleans has dropped two in a row following that streak, but Holidays presence has the teams confidence rising.In my eyes, hes one of the top point guards in the league and it showed, Davis said.---THE WEEK AHEADSome games to note this week:Washington at Oklahoma City, Wednesday: Former Thunder coach Scott Brooks brings his struggling Wizards to Oklahoma City for the first time since he returned to the sideline.Houston at Golden State, Thursday: The Warriors steadily improving defense will get one heck of a test from James Harden and the Rockets.Los Angeles Clippers at Cleveland, Thursday: Two of the best teams in the league through the first month of the season meet.Detroit at Atlanta, Friday: Its always a party when Stan Van Gundy and Dwight Howard are in the same building.Cleveland at Chicago, Friday: Bulls star Dwyane Wade gets to collect on his World Series bet with friend and former teammate LeBron James.---STAT LINE OF THE WEEKKevin Love, Cavaliers: 11 of 14 FG, 8 of 10 3s, 34 points. Nice game, right? Try quarter. Love conjured his stat-stuffing days with the Timberwolves when he exploded in the first quarter against Portland on Wednesday night. It was the highest-scoring first quarter in NBA history and just three off of Klay Thompsons record for most points in any quarter. Cheap NFL JerseysCheap NFL Jerseys ChinaCheap Jerseys From ChinaCheap NFL Jerseys AuthenticWholesale Jerseys ChinaCheap NFL Jerseys ChinaNFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
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