WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – President Barack Obama yesterday chose veteran agent Julia Pierson as Secret Service director, the first woman to lead the male-dominated agency, a year after its reputation was tarnished by a scandal involving agents and prostitutes in Colombia.
Pierson will replace Mark Sullivan, who retired in February and was in charge during the Colombia scandal – one of the worst in the agency’s history.
The Secret Service has been criticized for having an insular, male-dominated culture, and Pierson’s appointment also comes as Obama fends off criticism that his second-term picks for high-level posts have not included enough women and minority candidates.
Pierson, a native of Florida, is currently chief of staff at the Secret Service and began her career as a special agent with the Miami field office in 1983. The director’s position does not require confirmation by the U.S. Senate.
