PRESIDENT Obama Tuesday appointed
Julia Pierson as the new head of the Secret Service, making her the first woman
to lead the agency after a bunch of men proved to be embarrassments.
Julia Pierson as the new head of the Secret Service, making her the first woman
to lead the agency after a bunch of men proved to be embarrassments.
Pierson, who was until her appointment the Secret Service chief of
staff, took over without a Senate confirmation hearing, following the
prostitution scandal that forced former director Mark Sullivan’s resignation
and “exposed a culture within the service of macho behavior while on the road.
Senate confirmation is not required for Pierson’s new role.
staff, took over without a Senate confirmation hearing, following the
prostitution scandal that forced former director Mark Sullivan’s resignation
and “exposed a culture within the service of macho behavior while on the road.
Senate confirmation is not required for Pierson’s new role.
Pierson is to lead the agency that, among other things, is tasked
with protecting the President, Vice President Joe Biden, the first family and
other designees.
with protecting the President, Vice President Joe Biden, the first family and
other designees.
Sullivan announced his retirement earlier this year following
almost 30 years with the agency almost seven years of which as director.
almost 30 years with the agency almost seven years of which as director.
He, however, presided over one of the most embarrassing recent
incidents for the agency involving revelations that 11 agents allegedly engaged
prostitutes in 2012 while on protective assignment at the Summit of the
Americas in Colombia. The episode resulted in the retirement or resignation of
several agents.
incidents for the agency involving revelations that 11 agents allegedly engaged
prostitutes in 2012 while on protective assignment at the Summit of the
Americas in Colombia. The episode resulted in the retirement or resignation of
several agents.
Pierson started her 30-year career at the agency in its Miami
office and has held various position throughout her three decades on the job,
including deputy assistant director in the Offices of Administration and of
Protective Operations, overseeing the agency’s Presidential Protective
Division, Vice Presidential Protective Division and Special Services Division.
She was also assistant director of the Office of Human Resources and Training.
office and has held various position throughout her three decades on the job,
including deputy assistant director in the Offices of Administration and of
Protective Operations, overseeing the agency’s Presidential Protective
Division, Vice Presidential Protective Division and Special Services Division.
She was also assistant director of the Office of Human Resources and Training.
Sullivan called her appointment a “historic and exciting time” for
the service.
the service.
