Sen. Thad Cochran announced Tuesday that he is naming Brad White as his chief of staff, effective Jan. 1, 2017.

White has served as Cochran’s state director since June 2015.

In his new position, White will oversee Cochran’s Senate office staff in both Washington and Mississippi, according to a press release from Cochran’s office.  White replaces Keith Heard, who has served as chief of staff since January 2015 and who will return to the private sector.

“I am optimistic about the new Congress and the new administration, and look forward to having Brad White as my chief of staff.  My focus will remain on making Mississippi and our nation stronger and more secure,” said Cochran, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.  “I am grateful to Keith Heard for his good service to my office and to the people of Mississippi.”

Prior to joining the Cochran staff, White was chief of staff at the Mississippi Department of Audit.  White was chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party from 2008 to 2011.  Between 1999 and 2008, he held various positions within the Mississippi Transportation Commission, the Mississippi Public Service Commission and the Simpson County Economic Development Foundation.

White, a native of Braxton, has a Bachelor of Science degree in business management from Belhaven University.