Congratulations: Former Social Secretary Julianna Smoot Gets Married

Now Deputy Campaign Manager, Smoot wed Lon Johnson on Saturday...
Wishes of joy are due President Obama and First Lady Obama's former Social Secretary, Julianna Smoot, who married Lon Johnson on Saturday during a ceremony in Northport, Michigan, according to an announcement in today's New York Times. Smoot, 44, was the second Social Secretary of the Administration, and now works in Chicago as the Deputy Campaign Manager for President Obama's re-election machine. She took up her post as Social Secretary in March of 2010. During her one-year tenure, Smoot oversaw hundreds of social events, including two elegant State Dinners--in honor of President Felipe Calderon of Mexico and in honor of President Hu Jintao of China--as well as the 2010 Easter Egg Roll, the largest event on the annual White House social calendar, with about 30,000 guests.  (Above: Smoot with the President at the Roll)

Smoot replaced inaugural Social Secretary Desiree Rogers, and departed a year later, and was replaced by Jeremy Bernard in March of 2011. In recent months, as Deputy Campaign Manager for the President, Smoot has been working on fundraisers such as the Dinner with Barack Sweepstakes and the Obama Birther Mug.

The NYT wedding announcement:

Julianna Skinner Smoot and Lon Barton Johnson were married Saturday in Northport, Mich. The Rev. Thomas H. John Sr. performed the ceremony at the Northport Indian Mission United Methodist Church, where he is pastor.

The bride, 44, is keeping her name. She works in Chicago as a deputy manager for President Obama’s re-election campaign. Until March, she was the White House social secretary. She graduated from Smith. She is a daughter of Edward B. Smoot and Julia L. Smoot of Willow Springs, N.C.

The bridegroom, 40, is a partner in TVV Capital, a private fund in Nashville that invests in small and midsize manufacturers and other companies, chiefly in the Southeast. He graduated from Arizona State University. He is a son of Vivian L. Pluff of Onsted, Mich., and Gary S. Johnson of Richland, Pa.

*White House photo by Eddie Gehman Kohan/Obama Foodorama; announcement photo from New York Times

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Table Settings & Decor, State Dinner For Korea

White House outsources design duties to Rafanelli Events, known for creating Chelsea Clinton's wedding..."American Hospitality" is the inspiration for the decor, which mingles traditional Korean flourishes with an autumn palette...
For President Obama and First Lady Obama's State Dinner in honor of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and First Lady Kim Yoon-ok, the dramatically lit East Room looks like Thanksgiving gone beautifully wild. The State Dinner begins at 8:35 PM, and the inspiration for the decor is "American Hospitality," to symbolize the friendship between the US and Korea, according to the White House. (Above: The Head Table, where the two Presidential Couples will sit, joined by 16 guests)

There are 222 guests on the list of expected attendees, and they will be treated to a feast that spotlights both local sourcing--the Fall Harvest of Mrs. Obama's Kitchen Garden in particular--and Wagyu Beef, sourced from a Texas ranch. The extravagant decor, which features floral arrangements with symbolically meaningful blooms intermixed with literally hundreds of apples, was outsourced to Rafanelli Events Management.

Noted the White House: "Tonight’s design, created by Rafanelli Events, is a celebration of autumn. It embraces a bright fall palette of oranges, reds and greens, with apples featured in centerpieces, wall installations and window medallions. The featured chrysanthemums also symbolize fall in Korean culture." (Above: A long view of the East Room, with gobo shadows of leaves visible on the ceiling)

The tablecloths, chairs, chair cushions, flower vases, and lighting rigs being used in the East Room are all rentals, according to an aide.

The much-in-demand Rafanelli firm creates "the nation’s most exclusive and high-profile events" from its offices in Boston, New York, DC, and Palm Beach, according to its website. These have included former First Daughter Chelsea Clinton's "wedding of the decade," the Obama's last State Dinner, in honor of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and Obama inaugural celebrations.

Round tables with seating for ten guests surround the long rectangular Head Table, where the two Presidents and First Ladies will dine with sixteen guests. The Head Table is placed in the center of the room, against the back wall, and the First Couple will all sit on the same side, facing outward. The Clinton State China, created to honor the 200th anniversary of the White House, will be used. The cream-colored, gold rimmed plates are the only White House china that features images of historic US architectural masterpieces in the center of the plate rather than the Presidential seal. White napkins with the Presidential seal are at each place. (Above: President Obama's place setting in the center of the head table. President Lee is seated on his right side and Mrs. Kim is on his left)

Each table had a dedicated color scheme, whether green, orange or red, and the flower arrangements on each table reflect the dominant color. The cushions on each chair are a plaid that mingles all the colors, and the chairs themselves are a change for dinner events. They are made of dark wood, rather than the usual gold ladder back chairs that are typically used for dinners. (Above: A red-themed table)

Korean culture and craftsmanship honored...
"The inspiration for the Republic of Korea State Dinner is American Hospitality. At State Dinners, we extend our hand in friendship and convey a generosity of spirit designed to welcome guests. In the spirit of that hospitality, some of the design elements are a reflection of Korea’s culture and craftsmanship," noted the White House.

Each guest will receive a menu card for the evening that depicts the Korean art of knotting because "the union of string and tassel represents perfect harmony," according to the White House. Bamboo containers are featured on some of the dining tables, and chrysanthemums are included in the floral arrangements. There is a trio of long, tall bamboo candle holders on a number of the tables. (Above: A green-themed table. On some tables, large vases held dramatic branches laden with berries in hues of yellow and red)

"In Korea, bamboo represents integrity and chrysanthemums are a sign of a productive and fruitful life," notes the White House. "Hibiscus is the national flower of the Republic of Korea and will be featured in an art installation made of paper flowers in the Upper Cross Hallway."

First Lady's campaign is honored with apples...
The graphic logo for Mrs. Obama's Let's Move! campaign is designed around an apple, and the hundreds of apples anchoring the flower arrangements are also an homage to the First Lady's signature initiative, according to the White House.
Simple china pots of varying sizes adorn the tables to hold floral arrangements. (Above: Granny Smith apples in the centerpiece of a green-themed table)

Lights and shadows in the shape of harvest leaves and apples were cast on the walls and ceiling of the East Room, as well as in the Cross Hall. Columns were wrapped in a textured cream silk.

This evening, Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford and Executive Pastry Chef Bill Yosses are working free of the encumbrance of a guest chef. Tonight marks the fifth State Dinner of the Administration, and the third in 2011. The event is also the second State Dinner under the charge of Social Secretary Jeremy Bernard. His selection of Rafanelli Events is savvy; founder and CEO Bryan Rafanelli has been hailed as "the event planner of the year" by Town & Country magazine, and he makes frequent TV appearances. But Rafanelli, according to his reviews, is also known for his discretion.

Musical performances at the reception...
A reception featuring musical performances after the dinner will be in the State Dining Room, starting at 10:00 PM. Performances will be by the classical music The Ahn Trio, sisters born in Seoul, Korea, and vocalist Janelle Monáe, "singer, songwriter, producer, and performer from Kansas City, Kansas," who has received multiple Grammy nominations. (Above: A long view of the East Room, with the Head Table in the background)

In the Cross Hallway, which is between the East Room and the State Dining Room, there were two huge "art installations" made of paper Hibiscus, the national flower of the Republic of Korea.

Updated & related: A post about the Presidential toasts is here. A video preview of the menu is here. A report on the guest arrivals, with video, is here. The brief, soggy arrival ceremony under the North Portico is here. Details on Mrs. Obama's gown are here. The Presidents' joint news conference is here. The morning Arrival Ceremony is here.

*Photos by Eddie Gehman Kohan/Obama Foodorama

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White House Names Hotel Executive Angella Reid As Chief Usher; First Woman To Hold Post

Reid takes charge at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue just in time for President and First Lady's busy holiday season...
Continuing a "tradition" of White House firsts in their employee hires, President Obama and First Lady Obama will have the first-ever woman Chief Usher in the history of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The White House today announced that after a months-long search, Angella Reid, an experienced hotel industry manager with the Ritz-Carlton company, has been named as the new Director of the President’s Executive Residence and Chief Usher. Reid takes up her post in November, in time for the very busy holiday season, when President and Mrs. Obama will host dozens of receptions and welcome thousands of guests to The People's House. Reid is the ninth person to fill the very large shoes, and she replaces Rear Admiral Stephen W. Rochon, who departed in April. Rochon was the first African American to hold the post. (Above: Reid on the job at the Ritz-Carlton)

Reid is leaving her position as General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton in Arlington, Virginia, and has also helped manage properties in Miami, New York, and Washington, DC. Her highly visible new role includes everything having to do with managing the combination museum/house that is the Executive Residence: She will lead the staff in executing major events, from State Visits and State Dinners to Presidential press conferences, to the annual Easter Egg Roll and East Room events, all while preserving the most historic house in America. Reid holds a degree in Hospitality Management from the Carl Duisberg Gesellschaft School in Munich, Germany, and is fluent in German and conversant in Spanish, according to the East Wing.

Reid "will maintain close liaison with the White House Historical Association, the Committee for the Preservation of the White House, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, and other related entities to maintain and preserve the historic People’s House," the East Wing said. "Reid will also oversee the annual inventory of White House property, conducted by the Office of the Curator and the National Park Service."

Other Obama "firsts" for employees include Sam Kass, the first-ever White House chef to do double duty as Senior Policy Advisor for Healthy Food Initiatives, and Social Secretary Jeremy Bernard, the first man and first openly gay individual to be named to the post. Former Social Secretary Desiree Rogers was the first African American to hold the post, too. White House Beekeeper Charlie Brandts is the first in White House history as well.

The full announcement:

The White House is pleased to announce that Angella Reid will serve as the next Director of the President’s Executive Residence and “Chief Usher.” Reid will be the ninth person and first woman to serve in the role. Reid brings to the position 25 years of hotel management experience where she won multiple leadership awards. She will begin in November. The position was most recently held by Rear Admiral Stephen W. Rochon, USCG (Ret.), who departed from the post earlier this year to take a position at the Department of Homeland Security.

As Chief Usher, Reid will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the operations and activities within the Executive Residence and on the Executive Residence grounds. Among her many responsibilities, Reid will oversee management of the Executive Residence to ensure activities and resources are used efficiently and effectively. She will maintain close liaison with the White House Historical Association, the Committee for the Preservation of the White House, the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, and other related entities to maintain and preserve the historic People’s House. Reid will also oversee the annual inventory of White House property, conducted by the Office of the Curator and the National Park Service.

Angella Reid currently is General Manager at The Ritz-Carlton, Pentagon City, Arlington, Virginia. Previously, she served in management positions at The Ritz-Carlton properties in Miami, Florida and Washington, D.C. Before her tenure with The Ritz-Carlton, Reid was General Manager at the Hartford Marriott Rocky Hill Hotel in Connecticut and Director of Operations at the Renaissance New York Hotel in New York City. Reid holds a degree in Hospitality Management from the Carl Duisberg Gesellschaft School in Munich, Germany and is conversational in German and basic Spanish.

*File photo

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Jesse Tyler Ferguson's White House Lunch

The "Modern Family" actor tweets about his lunch with Social Secretary Jeremy Bernard...
Social Secretary Jeremy Bernard had a special luncheon guest at the White House on Monday: Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Emmy award-winning star of the hit ABC sitcom "Modern Family." Ferguson tweeted the news with the picture, above.

"Lunch at the White House with the fantastic Jeremy Bernard!" Ferguson wrote. "I tried to steal this," he added about the plate.

The inscription on the plate reads "The White House Mess," which is the very nice staffers' cafeteria on the White House campus.  Looks like Ferguson was enjoying polenta and gravy with his asparagus.

Ferguson emcee'd a campaign event for President Obama at the House of Blues in West Hollywood on Sept 26. He was in Washington this weekend to attend the Human Rights Campaign Annual National Dinner as the President gave the keynote address.

Ferguson brought his partner, Justin Mikita, to his lunch with Bernard. Mikita describes himself as a "Lawyer, entrepreneur, and...Nacho Cheese Connoisseur" in his Twitter bio, and he also tweeted about the lunch.

"On way to lunch @whitehouse with @jessetyler. Excited doesn't even cover it" Mikita tweeted with a link to the photo, above. Ferguson is at left.

*Top photo by @JesseTyler; second by @JustinMikita

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President Obama's Statement On The End Of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Campaign 2012 staff take to social media to remind supporters of President's gay rights record...
The White House issued a statement from President Obama today, as the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law expired, and members of the military were released from required silence about their sexual orientation. 2012 Campaign staffers used the President's efforts for repeal as one more tool to woo supporters, sending e-mails and taking to Twitter to highlight the President's record of achievements for the LGBT community. Above: A screen shot from @BarackObama's Twitter account. The President has hosted three such LGBT receptions; his first reception in 2009 marked the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in New York, and his most recent reception was in June.

Despite much work on LGBT issues, the President has come under intense fire from the activist community for not moving faster to keep 2008 Campaign promises. The LGBT community is a crucial voting and fundraising base for the 2012 election. The President's Social Secretary, Jeremy Bernard, is openly gay, and was a major fundraiser in California for the 2008 campaign. First Lady Obama's Director of Communications, Kristina Schake, also has deep ties to the LGBT community; before joining the East Wing, she crafted the campaign in California to repeal the law against gay marriage.

The President's DADT statement:

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
_____________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2011

Statement by the President
on the Repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell

Today, the discriminatory law known as ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ is finally and formally repealed. As of today, patriotic Americans in uniform will no longer have to lie about who they are in order to serve the country they love. As of today, our armed forces will no longer lose the extraordinary skills and combat experience of so many gay and lesbian service members. And today, as Commander in Chief, I want those who were discharged under this law to know that your country deeply values your service.

I was proud to sign the Repeal Act into law last December because I knew that it would enhance our national security, increase our military readiness, and bring us closer to the principles of equality and fairness that define us as Americans. Today’s achievement is a tribute to all the patriots who fought and marched for change; to Members of Congress, from both parties, who voted for repeal; to our civilian and military leaders who ensured a smooth transition; and to the professionalism of our men and women in uniform who showed that they were ready to move forward together, as one team, to meet the missions we ask of them.

For more than two centuries, we have worked to extend America’s promise to all our citizens. Our armed forces have been both a mirror and a catalyst of that progress, and our troops, including gays and lesbians, have given their lives to defend the freedoms and liberties that we cherish as Americans. Today, every American can be proud that we have taken another great step toward keeping our military the finest in the world and toward fulfilling our nation’s founding ideals.

###

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"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Ends: First Lady Will Welcome Gay Military Families To Joining Forces

Last April at the White House, openly gay and lesbian members of the military weren't included in launch festivities...
UPDATE: President's statement on the repeal of DADT
Families that have openly gay or lesbian military service members will now be welcome at events for First Lady Obama and Dr. Jill Biden's Joining Forces campaign, says Mrs. Obama's Communications Director, Kristina Schake. That's because "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT), repealed nine months ago by Congress, officially expires today. The First and Second Ladies' campaign supports and celebrates military families as "the force behind the force." (Above: Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden in a promo photo for the campaign)

“After the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell takes effect, Mrs. Obama and Dr. Biden look forward to including openly gay and lesbian service members in events to recognize their service to the nation, as well as the service of their families,” Schake said in a statement to The Advocate.

Last April, DADT was still the law of the land, so openly gay and lesbian service members and their advocacy groups were not allowed to attend the big White House launch event for the Joining Forces campaign, held in the East Room, and attended by President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, as well as top military brass. Created almost eighteen years ago during the Clinton presidency, DADT prevented members of the military from publicly revealing their sexual orientation.

Today, for the first time in military history, service men and women can reveal their sexual orientation without fear of reprisal. The "no openly gay" White House event policy was in effect exclusively for military-related events: Since taking office, President Obama has hosted three different receptions to celebrate LGBT Pride Month. There are also many openly gay and lesbian staff who work at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Perhaps the most high profile is Jeremy Bernard, the first openly gay Social Secretary in White House history. Bernard is also the first male Social Secretary.

"As a country, we don’t always see their families, our heroes on the home front,” Mrs. Obama said when launching Joining Forces. Because of DADT, the First Lady's observation was doubly true for the families of gay and lesbian members of the armed forces. The invisibility ends today.

Find out more about the campaign at JoiningForces.gov.

*Photo by Soldiers Angels

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Jeremy Bernard: The Obamas Are "Best Bosses"

White House Social Secretary feted in Los Angeles at party attended by Obama Campaign bigwigs, politicos, and DC journalists...
President Obama and First Lady Obama are "the greatest and best bosses one could work for," said White House Social Secretary Jeremy Bernard on Saturday night at a party thrown in his honor at the Los Angeles home of Courage Campaign's Rick Jacobs and his partner Shawn Kadlec.  The President and Mrs. Obama were finishing up the President's 50th birthday celebration at Camp David as Bernard relaxed at the outdoor party, with friends that included California politicos, major Obama Campaign supporters, a smattering of Hollywood types, and journalists. Above: Bernard, in pink, chats with longtime Obama supporter LA County Supervisor Zev Yarovslavsky, center, and Tennis Channel CEO Ken Solomon, Southern California finance co-chair of the President's re-election campaign.

Bernard raised millions as California finance consultant for Mr. Obama's 2008 campaign before the President appointed him Special Assistant and Social Secretary earlier this year, and has rarely spoken about his bosses publicly. He joked that he was “thrilled to be at something with his name on it where I’m not asking for money," reported LGBT POV. Bernard also chatted about his work at the White House, and was reportedly quizzed about throwing State Dinners.  Bernard masterfully handled his first State Dinner in June, when President Obama honored German Chancellor Angela Merkel with a dinner for more than 200 guests, which was anchored by a menu spotlighting Mrs. Obama's Kitchen Garden, and featured a Bauhaus-inspired decorating scheme. (Above: Bernard with host Jacobs)

Guests included Mary Jane Stevenson, head of Organizing for America in California; Rep. Karen Bass (D-Calif.); Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yarovslavsky; City Controller Wendy Gruel; Washington Post columnist and MSNBC contributor Jonathan Capehart; former CA state senator Sheila Kuehl; Michael Keegan, President of People for the American Way; DNC Super Delegate Kermin Maddox; actor Mary McCormack and her husband, produce/director Michael Morris, and Torie Osborne; Rick Jacobs; Variety's Ted Johnson, who writes the Wilshire & Washington column about the intersection of politics & Hollywood; and Trevor Daley, special assistant to Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). (Above: Bernard with Capehart)

Bernard is the first-ever male Social Secretary in White House history, as well as the first openly gay Social Secretary. (Above: Bernard with OFA's Stevenson)

*Photos by Karen Ocamb, LGBT POV

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