On February 27, 2007 President George W. Bush named Rear Admiral Stephen R. Rochon as Director of the Executive Residence and Chief Usher. The New Orleans native is in charge of the domestic staff at the White House, and makes sure that everything runs like clockwork. He is only the eighth person, and the first African American to hold the position. He manages the day-to-day operations of the White House, with its 132 rooms, $13-million plus budget and 90-plus staff. Admiral Rochon has a B.S. in Business Administration from Xavier University, and an M.S. in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University. He has earned the Coast Guard Distinguished Medal and three Legion of Merit medals. He is married and has four children. President Obama chose to retain Admiral Rochon in his present position.

On May 23, 2009, President Barack Obama announced the nomination of Charles Frank "Charlie" Bolden, Jr. as NASA Administrator. Bolden will take office after confirmation by the United States Senate. He will be the first African American to head the agency on a permanent basis.

"Charlie" Bolden, Jr., was born on August 19, 1946 in Columbia, South Carolina. He graduated from C.A. Johnson High School, where his father, the late Charles Frank Bolden was the school's football coach. He is a retired U.S. Marine Corps major general and a former NASA astronaut. A 1968 graduate of the United States Naval Academy (USNA), he became a Marine Aviator and test pilot. After his service with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, he became Deputy Commandant of Midshipmen at the USNA. Bolden is the virtual host of the Shuttle Launch Experience attraction at Kennedy Space Center. Bolden also serves on the board of directors for the Military Child Education Coalition.