Official White House Photo by Amanda Lucidon(WASHINGTON) — The U.S. Secret Service has appointed George D. Mulligan, a former director of the White House Military Office, as its first chief operating officer, ABC News has exclusively learned.
“George is a proven leader who will bring broad management experience, knowledge and initiative to the Secret Service as our first COO,” Secret Service Director Joseph P. Clancy said.
It’s the latest reform the department has implemented since a series of embarrassing security breaches last fall. Clancy and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson announced the creation of the COO position in March at the recommendation of an independent review panel examining the Secret Service.
As COO, Mulligan will be the principal administrator for planning and directing all business and programming activities for the Secret Service.
He is tasked with overseeing all program areas, focusing on improving performance as well as directing coordination and liaison activities and working on budget and strategic planning efforts.
Mulligan comes from the Department of Defense, where he spent 29 years as both a senior civilian executive and a former naval officer. He most recently served as chief of staff to the under secretary of defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics and deputy director for the Washington Headquarters Services and director of Enterprise management.
In 2009, President Obama appointed Mulligan as the director of the White House Military Office, where he worked closely with the Secret Service.
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