1:30 AM ET 2/27/2010 -- White House confirms Smoot appointment On Saturday,, the White House released a press release confirming Smoot will be White House Social secretary:
The White House today announced Julianna Smoot has been named Deputy Assistant to the President and Social Secretary. She joins the White House staff from the office of U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, where she serves as Chief of Staff.
"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," the President said.
"I am humbled and excited to take on the role of White House Social Secretary and support the Obama administration in a different capacity," said Julianna Smoot. "Over the last year, I have had the honor of building relationships in the international community through my work at USTR, and I am looking forward to implementing this experience at the White House."
"Julianna Smoot brings extraordinary organization and people skills to the role, and sharp attention to detail - all attributes critical to the highly complex responsibilities of the White House Social Secretary. I know that she will continue on the path of creating beautiful events and opening up the White House in new and creative ways that have been established this past year. I'm pleased to welcome her to the East Wing," said Susan Sher, Chief of Staff to First Lady Michelle Obama.
A native of North Carolina, Smoot has worked in and out of Washington. Prior to joining the Administration, Smoot served as finance director for the Obama Campaign. She has also worked for Senators Schumer, Durbin, Reid and Rockefeller.UPDATE: Huffington Post has learned that Smoot will definitely be the new White House Social Secretary.
ABC reports that Julianna Smoot is in the lead to take Desiree Rogers' position as White House Social Secretary. Rogers announced her resignation on Friday and will step down next month.
Smoot worked as national finance director for Obama's presidential campaign, and is currently U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk's chief of staff.
Her bio on the Office of United States Trade Representative website reads:
Julianna Smoot joined the Office of the United States Trade Representative in February 2009 as the Chief of Staff.Prior to joining the USTR, Ms. Smoot served as Senior Advisor to President Obama and served as Co-Chair of the Presidential Inaugural Committee. In January 2007, Ms. Smoot joined President Obama's Presidential Campaign as the National Finance Director. Prior to working for President Obama, Ms. Smoot served as National Finance Director for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, chaired by Senator Charles Schumer.
Previously, Ms. Smoot served as Senior Advisor to former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle and as Finance Director for Senator John Edwards' race for U.S. Senate. Ms. Smoot has also held positions with Senator Richard Durbin and Senator Chris Dodd.
Julianna Smoot, a North Carolina native, received her Bachelor's Degree in Government from Smith College in Northampton , MA .