Biden Appoints Cheatle New Head of Secret Service

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden capped a busy day at the White House Wednesday by announcing he’s appointed Kimberly Cheatle to be the next director of the Secret Service.

In announcing the appointment, Biden lauded Cheatle’s “long and distinguished career at the Secret Service,” noting she rose through the ranks during her more than 25 years with the agency and became the first woman to serve in the role of assistant director of protective operations.

“Jill and I know firsthand Kim’s commitment to her job and to the Secret Service’s people and mission,” the president said. “When Kim served on my security detail when I was vice president, we came to trust her judgment and counsel. 

“She is a distinguished law enforcement professional with exceptional leadership skills, and was easily the best choice to lead the agency at a critical moment for the Secret Service. She has my complete trust, and I look forward to working with her,” Biden added.

Prior to serving as assistant director of the agency, Cheatle served as the special agent in charge of the Atlanta Field Office, providing oversight for all mission-related investigations, protective intelligence and protective visits in the state of Georgia.

She also served in numerous other leadership roles at the agency, and in 2021, Biden awarded Cheatle with a Presidential Rank Award, recognizing her among a select group of career members of the senior executive service for exceptional performance over an extended period of time.

Cheatle is currently a senior director at PepsiCo North America, where she oversees facilities, personnel and business continuity.

Incidently, Cheatle is not the first woman to head the Secret Service; that honor belongs to Julia A. Pierson, who was appointed to the post by former President Barack Obama in March 2013.

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