<Tr> <Th> First holder </Th> <Td> John R. Steelman </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Website </Th> <Td> The White House </Td> </Tr> <P> The White House Chief of Staff has traditionally been the highest - ranking employee of the White House . The chief of staff's position is a modern successor to the earlier role of the president's private secretary . The role was formalized as the Assistant to the President in 1946 and acquired its current name in 1961 . </P> <P> The Chief of Staff is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the President; it does not require Senate confirmation . </P>

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