President Barack Obama has chosen a veteran White House aide and deputy director in his budget office, Brian Deese, to replace John Podesta as a senior adviser and presidential whisperer.
The choice signals a generational change at the White House and a shift from a well-known Washington operative to trusted insider.
White House officials say the 36-year-old Deese will assume his new role when Podesta departs as expected sometime in mid-February.
Podesta carried a varied portfolio with an emphasis on energy policy. He also was a key figure behind Obama's executive actions last year that ranged from modest steps on education to broad initiatives on immigration and climate change.
The White House says domestic and international energy policy and strategy will be key elements of Deese's new duties.
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