Gary Walters saw a lot of history in the 37 years he spent working at the White House, where he started as an officer assigned to protect the president and ended as the longest-serving chief usher in history.
The position of chief usher is the top job in the residence, comparable to a general manager, overseeing maintenance, construction and renovation projects, and food service, along with administrative, financial and personnel functions. A staff of about 90 to 100 butlers, housekeepers, cooks, florists, electricians, engineers, plumbers and others report to the chief usher.
