President Barack Obama has named veteran Secret Service agent Julia Pierson as the agency’s first female director.

Pierson, a 30-year veteran of the agency, currently is its chief of staff.

Obama announced Pierson’s nomination Tuesday in a statement. He said she has had an exemplary career and is “eminently qualified” to lead the agency, which recently has been marred by scandal.

Pierson does not need to be confirmed by the Senate.