One of the nation’s largest disability organizations is getting a new CEO and he’s coming straight from the White House.

Mark Perriello will take over as head of the American Association of People with Disabilities next week, officials from the organization said Wednesday. He will become only the second president and CEO to serve the 16-year-old organization, a position which has been vacant since last fall when the group’s longtime leader, Andrew Imparato, left to join the staff of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

Perriello, who has a visual disability, is currently the White House Liaison at the U.S. Department of the Interior. He previously headed the administration’s efforts to hire diverse candidates.

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Within the disability community, Perriello helped found the Disability Power & Pride Political Action Committee last summer, a group that raises money for political candidates who support disability issues.

“As an American with a disability, I am honored to serve AAPD and the disability community in the ongoing effort to create an America that recognizes the intrinsic value of all its citizens,” Perriello said in a statement announcing his appointment.

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