White House Social Secretary Jeremy Bernard Stepping Down Next Month

Photo by Gavin Bond for Out

Jeremy Bernard, the first man and openly gay person to hold the position as White House Social Secretary, has overseen hundreds of events, from the annual Easter Egg Roll to Christmas celebrations to state dinners. He's credited with making the place more fun and less formal with his low-key efficiency, and as the person who orchestrates every event at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, he has contacts for the most extensive guest lists in the world. Now the groundbreaker has decided to move on to his next endeavor. He'll leave his post after the Japan State Dinner taking place April 28.

First Lady Michelle Obama released this statement:

"For the last four years, Jeremy has worked tirelessly to open the doors of the White House to as many people as possible and to make each and every event in the White House one to remember, not only for Barack and me, but for the tens of thousands of guests who pass through our doors each year. I was lucky to have such a talented individual on my team, and I am equally lucky to have made a lifelong friend in Jeremy. Jeremy will be missed, and Barack and I wish him the very best in all of his future endeavors."

And Bernard's statement reads:

"It has been an honor to serve the President and Mrs. Obama as Social Secretary for the last four years. From State Dinners to Student Workshops to celebrating the holiday season, Mrs. Obama has welcomed every guest to the White House with her signature warmth, grace and style. I feel so privileged to have worked for such an extraordinary President and First Lady."

Photo: Getty

Last year, The Hill listed Bernard, who is 53 and single, as one of its 50 Most Beautiful people in D.C., and he explained that, since his job has him socializing, outside of work, he's become a bit antisocial. Plus, he'd rescued a beagle named Garbo, which has taken up much of his free time.

"I go from being at the White House during the day to this extreme opposite," Bernard said. "It's a joy to come home to this wonderful animal who is so happy to have you there."

In a recent Vogue profile, writer Jonathan Van Meter revealed that Bernard is very private but he did ask him what he might do next. Bernard stated:

"The good thing about this job--and perhaps the bad thing--is that I am not able to think about the future. One of my predecessors told me that she lost sleep toward the end because people told her she would go on to do great things next, but they never told her what. She warned me that I do have to start thinking about it. I know I do; I just haven't yet. I'm sort of putting my head in the sand."