Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell has selected her next chief of staff.
Alastair “Al” Fitzpayne was picked by Burwell Wednesday, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Fitzpayne, the current assistant secretary for Legislative Affairs at the Treasury Department, is deeply connected on Capitol Hill, but lacks considerable experience on healthcare.
He played a key role in helping with legislative strategy in his role at the Treasury, operating as a functional liaison between the Treasury and the Hill.
Treasury Secretary Jack Lew called Fitzpayne “an indispensable member” of Treasury’s senior staff, saying he “played a critical role in moving forward some of our biggest policy priorities.”
Prior to joining the Treasury in 2009, Fitzpayne worked on Capitol Hill with former Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., on tax, budget, small business and technology issues, as well as with former Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., on tax, budget and financial services issues.
Should the Republicans win the Senate, his experience with members of Congress as well as committees could come in handy during negotiations between the HHS and the GOP.
Fitzpayne is expected to join HHS in November.
