Denis McDonough (MSFS ’96) was selected today as President Obama’s new chief of staff, according to a university press release.

McDonough joined the Obama team when the president was still a senator in 2007, and following Obama’s election, McDonough was head of strategic communication and chief of staff for the National Security Council before becoming deputy national security adviser in 2010.

In today’s announcement, Obama called McDonough one of his “closest and most trusted advisors.”

“Given his humility, I don’t think people always appreciate the breadth of his experience and the range of his talents,” Obama said. “And it’s precisely because of that intellect, that experience, his dedication, his determination, that I wanted Denis in this job.”

School of Foreign Service Dean Carol Lancaster also expressed enthusiasm for McDonough’s appointment.

“I am certain that Hoyas around the world join me in congratulating Denis McDonough. He has been and will continue to be an outstanding public servant,” Lancaster said in the university’s press release. “Pursuing such work is a Georgetown and SFS tradition of which we are extremely proud.”

Professor Ronald Klain (COL ’83), chief of staff for Vice Presidents Al Gore and Joe Biden, was also rumored to be a leading candidate for the position, according to ABC News and the Washington Post.

McDonough replaces Jack Lew (L ’83), who is nominated for treasury secretary. A date has not yet been set for Lew’s Senate confirmation hearing.