Obama To Name Desiree Rogers White House Social Secretary (Video Interview)

[democracy1st]

Prominent Chicago businesswoman Desiree Rogers will be named the White House social secretary, according to a series of news reports. The 49-year-old Harvard MBA will be the first African-American to hold the post.

From the Washington Post:




Rogers, 49, is a friend of Michelle and President-elect Barack Obama's, and a leader in Chicago corporate and civic circles; her appointment signals that the first couple consider the job crucial to how they introduce themselves to the country and the globe. She was a major fundraiser for Obama.

"This appointment sends a strong message that the Obamas want to use the White House strategically, to maximize its use in a way that is consistent with their philosophy -- open it to a broader range of people, " said Valerie Jarrett, an Obama intimate and friend of Rogers's who also will work in the White House. "Desirée is a heavy hitter -- she comes with her own range of contacts from around the country. She's close to Michelle and she knows everyone who will be working in the West Wing, so she will be able to create a synergy."



Rogers will join the White House from Allstate Financial, where she was creating a social network of clients and consumers. She was previously the president of Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas.

From the Chicago Tribune:

Rogers, who studied at Wellesley College and later earned an MBA from Harvard, was once married to Chicagoan John Rogers, Ariel Capital Management chief and another close Obama friend and fundraiser.
Her first highly visible post was in state government. She managed the lottery for then-Gov. Jim Edgar in the '90s, appearing on TV giving away pots of money.



Rogers was briefed on the job last week by a former Clinton White House social secretary, the Washington Post reports.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/24/obama-to-name-desiree-rog_n_145957.html
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video interview

Desiree Rogers, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas
http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1135479573&channel=717773684

As president of the gas utility serving Chicago and the North Shore suburbs, Ms. Rogers oversees 1,700 employees. She joined the company as a communications executive in 1997 and was named president in 2004.

[TheWraith]

1. I'm surprised he chose an executive type rather than a professional secretary.

Since the Social Secretary usually works through the Executive Secretary, I'd have expected a choice based on a history of professional organization rather than professional management.

[FrenchieCat]

2. Wow......that video shows a very impressive woman.......

She'll do great, IMO. She'll bring a flair that just hasn't been there to the White House.

Excellent!