TheGrio's 100: Angella Reid, from The Ritz-Carlton to the White House as first female chief usher

theGRIO's 100 -- The job description of a White House chief usher can be daunting, but Angella Reid has the experience to take it head on...

TheGrio Staff

Jan 31, 2012

Imagine being in charge of the daily operations of the White House — everything from making sure the president and his family are comfortable in their private quarters, to ensuring state dinners and other official events run smoothly. The job description of White House chief usher can be daunting, but Angella Reid, the newest at the post, has the experience to take it head on.

Reid is a Jamaican-American who has worked for some of the most elite hotels in the country. She was previously the general manager of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Alexandria, Virginia and has held other management positions in Miami, and D.C. Her hotel management degree comes from the prestigious Carl Duisberg Gesellschaft School in Munich, Germany, and Reid speaks conversational German and Spanish.

Given her professional experience, it’s not surprising Reid was appointed. Becoming the first female White House usher in history is a role she reportedly dreamed of.

Angella Reid is making history … as the first female White House chief usher for the country’s first African-American presidential family. Reid’s role is a critical one, responsible for running both the private residence and the executive offices within the historic building.

What’s next for Angella?

Reid was named White House usher last October, overseeing holiday parties and has a tremendous amount of work ahead of her in an election year.

A little-known fact about the job …

White House chief ushers are known to stay in their position for decades. Reid is the ninth usher since 1885, replacing Rear Admiral Stephen W. Rochon, USCG (Ret.), who now works in the Department of Homeland Security.

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