Biden Announces Choice For Staff

November 26, 2008 7:14 a.m. EST

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Vice President-elect Joe Biden on Tuesday announced his choice for key White House staff positions, naming Mike Donilon, an aide of nearly three decades, as his counselor.

Donilon has been an adviser to Biden since 1981. He was part of a number of high-profile campaigns, including Douglas Wilder's successful gubernatorial bid in Virginia in 1989 and former President Bill Clinton's first campaign for the White House in 1992.

Biden appointed Terrell McSweeny, who was deputy chief of staff and policy director of his Senate office, as domestic policy adviser to the vice president. McSweeny, a graduate of Harvard University and Georgetown University Law Center, has served as campaign adviser to three presidential candidates, including Biden and former Vice President Al Gore.

Evan Ryan, an adviser to Biden during the general election campaign, has been chosen as assistant to the vice president for intergovernmental affairs and public liaison. Her previous work includes being deputy campaign manager of Biden's 2008 presidential bid, and deputy director for scheduling and special assistant to the chief of staff of Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) when the senator was first lady.

Saying the Obama-Biden administration is building a "dedicated and diverse team," Biden described Donilon as "one of the most astute counselors in national affairs" who has given "invaluable" advice to the Democratic ticket this cycle.

"Terrell McSweeny is an expert on domestic policy and has established herself as someone highly-regarded and experienced in national policy matters," Biden added in his statement. "Evan Ryan has a unique blend of White House management experience and public outreach skills, which will make her an indispensable asset to the Obama-Biden Administration."