Obama appoints first transgender person to executive post

Amanda Simpson is now the first presidentially appointed transgender person to occupy a post in the executive branch of any administration.

Simpson, 49, is a member of the National Center for Transgender Equality board of directors, and is taking over the spot as the Senior Technical Advisor in the Bureau of Industry and Security. On December 31st, Simpson was quoted in a statement hoping that her appointment will open doors for other transgender people:

“I’m truly honored to have received this appointment and am eager and excited about this opportunity that is before me,” said Simpson, in a prepared statement released by Transgender Equality on Dec. 31. “And at the same time, as one of the first transgender presidential appointees to the federal government,” she said, “I hope that I will soon be one of hundreds, and that this appointment opens future opportunities for many others.”

Simpson holds degrees in physics, engineering, and business administration with thirty years of experience in the aerospace-defense industry. She is also a certified flight instructor and seasoned test pilot. Simpson was defeated in a 2005 run in Arizona for the House of Representatives, running as a democrat. Her new post begins on January 5th.