Secret Service appoints first Chief Operating Officer in response to internal problems

The Secret Service on Tuesday tapped former White House Military Office Director George Mulligan to become the agency’s first Chief Operating Officer, the Washington Examiner reported.

Mulligan's new position was created in March in response to an independent panel's recommendation to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and Secret Service Director Joseph Clancy, the paper reported.

The panel made the proposal following a series of embarrassments for the agency, which included several White House security breaches.

Clancy praised Mulligan’s leadership in his previous roles, saying Tuesday that Mulligan “will bring broad management experience, knowledge and initiative to the Secret Service.”

A United States Navy officer from 1986 to 1994, Mulligan spent a total of 29 years in the Department of Defense in both civilian and military roles.

As director of the White House Military Office, Mulligan was tasked with providing oversight of Department of Defense staff, as well as direct support to the Office of the Presidency.

He is a graduate of Villanova University and holds a Master’s degree from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.