Amanda Simpson, transgender woman and former National Center for Transgender Equality board member, was appointed by President Obama on Jan. 1 to work in the Department of Commerce. Simpson, formerly the Deputy Director in Advanced Technology Development at Raytheon Missile Systems in Arizona, has been appointed as a Senior Technical Officer in the Bureau of Industry and Security.

Upon the appointment Simpson released a statement through the National Center for Transgender Equality.

“I’m truly honored to have received this appointment and am eager and excited about this opportunity that is before me,” Simpson said.

Simpson said she sees the appointment as an opportunity for many others in the transgender community.

“As one of the first transgender presidential appointees to the federal government, I hope that I will soon be one of hundreds, and that this appointment opens future opportunities for many others,” Simpson said.

Simpson holds degrees in Business Administration, Engineering and Physics.

Visit the Advocate online for more information on this appointment.

-Christopher Clevenger