Julianna Smoot replaces Rogers as White House Social Secretary

The White House announced Saturday that it has named Democratic fund-raiser Julianna Smoot as the replacement for former secretary Desiree Rogers.

Smoot was finance director for Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign and served as chief of staff to U.S. Trade representative Ron Kirk.

Rogers came under criticism after an uninvited couple crashed Obama’s first State Dinner in November. The White House announced on Friday that Rogers, a longtime Chicago friend of the Obamas, was stepping down.

“Julianna shares our commitment to creating an inclusive, dynamic and culturally vibrant White House, and Michelle and I are pleased to have her join our team,” Obama said in a statement.

Smoot told The Washington Post that she was “humbled and excited to take on the role.”

Virginia couple Tareq and Michaele Salahi waltzed into the White House party on Nov. 24, 2009, but without invitations.

The security lapse was discovered after Michaele Salahi, 44, posted photos of the herself at the fete on her Facebook page.

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Tags: breach, incident, julianna, President Obama, rogers, security, smoot, social secretary, white house