WASHINGTON — President Obama has named an openly transgender woman to work as senior technical adviser in the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry & Security.

Amanda Simpson, who’s served on the National Center for Transgender Equality’s board of directors, thanked Obama for the opportunity.

“I’m truly honored to have received this appointment and am eager and excited about this opportunity that is before me,” she said. “And at the same time, 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.”