First Lady Melania Trump has hired a new chief usher to oversee the White House residence staff, bringing in a high-level employee from the Trump Organization’s Washington hotel to fill the slot.

Timothy Harleth served as the director of rooms at the Trump hotel, and at the White House he will oversee about 90 staff members who run operations at the facility.

“I am so pleased that Timothy will be joining our team,” Trump said in a statement. “He was selected because of his impressive work history and management skills. My husband and I know he will be successful in this vital role within the White House.”

The chief usher serves as manager of the building and assists the president’s family with decorating and logistics in the residential portion.

“I am so honored at the opportunity to serve the first family in their new home,” Harleth said. “I look forward to applying my experience with hospitality, leadership, and political protocol in order to ensure the first family’s needs are met, while also protecting and preserving the rich history of the White House.”

Harleth is filling a position left open earlier this year when the White House let go of Angella Reid, who’d served as chief usher since 2011. She was the first woman to hold the position.

The White House has had a chief usher since the end of the 19th century, when a primary duty was ushering in guests to meet the president and first lady.
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