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US President Barack Obama appointed a new social secretary,Jeremy Bernard, the first male and a gay to serve this prestigious White House position.
"Jeremy shares our vision for the White House as the People's House, one that celebrates our history and culture in dynamic and inclusive ways," US President Barack Obama said. "We look forward to Jeremy continuing to showcase America's arts and culture to our nation and the world through the many events at the White House," he said in a statement.
Bernard joins the White House staff from the US Embassy in Paris, where he serves as Senior Advisor to the Ambassador. Prior to this role, he worked as the White House Liaison to the National Endowment for the Humanities. "I am deeply humbled to join the White House staff as Social Secretary and support President Obama and the First Lady in this role," Bernard said in a statement issued by the White House.
"I have long admired the arts and education programs that have become hallmarks of the Obama White House and I am eager to continue these efforts in the years ahead," he said. A native of San Antonio, Texas, Bernard currently serves as Senior Advisor to the Ambassador at the US Embassy of Paris. He served as the White House Liaison to the National Endowment for the Humanities from 2008 to 2010.
Previously, Bernard was a California Finance Consultant for the Obama for American campaign. He previously served as a board member of ANGLE (Access Now for Gay & Lesbian Equality) and the National Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund. He was also a member of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's LGBT Advisory Committee, the Los Angeles Police LGBT Advisory Committee and the Los Angeles Mayor's LGBT Advisory Committee.
Bernard served on the President's Advisory Committee on the Arts for the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and was a member of the Democratic National Committee from 2001 to 2009. "I look forward to working with Jeremy to continue the great work of the Social Office, from fun and educational student workshops to elegant State Dinners that welcome world leaders to the White House. Jeremy's creativity, perspective and skills will be a welcome addition to our East Wing team, as we showcase the White House and celebrating America's arts and culture," said Tina Tchen, Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama.
"What stood out in Jeremy's work at the National Endowment for the Humanities was his humor, good will, and high standard of professionalism," said National Endowment for the Humanities Chairman Jim Leach.