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White House dismisses chief usher, 1st woman to hold post

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By DARLENE SUPERVILLE
Associated Press 

FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2011 file photo, the then-incoming White House chief usher Angella Reid is photographed in Lafayette Park across from the White House in Washington. The White House has fired Reid, the person who responsible for managing the residence and staff its and overseeing events. No reason was given for Reid’s dismissal. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)
FILE – In this Oct. 18, 2011 file photo, the then-incoming White House chief usher Angella Reid is photographed in Lafayette Park across from the White House in Washington. The White House has fired Reid, the person who responsible for managing the residence and staff its and overseeing events. No reason was given for Reid’s dismissal. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster, File)

The White House has fired its chief usher, the person responsible for managing the residence, staff and overseeing events.

No specific reason was given for Angella Reid’s dismissal. White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed Friday that Reid, hired in late 2011, had been let go and that the parting was amicable.

Reid was the first woman and second African-American to hold the post.

“She is no longer employed here at the White House, but we left on very good terms and wish her the very best and certainly hope for great things for her in the future,” she said.

Staff turnover is not uncommon when a new administration comes to power, Huckabee Sanders said, adding that Reid’s departure was “simply nothing more than that.” New presidents and first ladies often like to install their own people in appointed posts, such as the chief usher, although some of Reid’s predecessors stayed in the job through successive administrations.

She oversaw daily operations at the 132-room mansion and its staff of over 90 plumbers, electricians, butlers, cooks and others. The chief usher coordinates closely with the first family, and helps ensure things run smoothly at the Easter Egg Roll, state dinners and other events.

Reid joined the White House from the Ritz-Carlton hotel chain.

The Washington Post first reported her dismissal.