Amanda Simpson made headlines this week when President Barack Obama appointed her as Senior Technical Advisor for the Commerce Department. Amanda Simpson made headlines because she is among the first transgenders to be appointed to the federal government. It is Amanda Simpsons hope that while she was not the very first transgender appointee to the federal government that she will be soon one of the hundreds. She feels that her recent appointment to the federal government is a great way to open up future opportunities for other transgenders in the federal government and other government agencies.

Before being appointed as the Senior Technical Advisor to the Commerce Department by President Barack Obama, Amanda Simpson was working as a test pilot for aerospace and defense contractor Raytheon. In addition to this position, Amanda Simpson was also the Deputy Director for the Advanced Technology Development department of Raytheon. It was while she was working at Raytheon that she "transitioned from male to female", according to ABC news.