Julia Pierson: veteran agent becomes first woman to lead secret service agency

Barack Obama appointed the first woman to lead the US secret service in its 148-year-old history on Tuesday.

Julia Pierson, a secret service veteran who spent much of her career based in Florida, takes on responsibility for the safety of Obama and his family, the vice-president, other leading Washington figures and visiting international dignitaries. She is at present chief of staff at the secret service.

The reputation of the service was badly damaged after revelations in April last year about preparations for Obama's trip to Cartagena, Colombia.

Secret service employees, part of an advance team preparing for Obama's arrival, took prostitutes back to the hotel where they were staying. The incident raised questions about a macho culture alleged to be pervasive inside the service.

Pierson, 53, replaces Mark Sullivan, who retired last month after leading the agency for seven years. He faced heavy criticism on Capitol Hill over the Colombian scandal for which he apologised but insisted the president's safety had never been compromised.

By appointing a woman, the White House sends a message that a macho culture will not be tolerated, BBC reports.