Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), one of the GOP’s rising stars, has been named Chief Deputy Minority Whip for the 111th Congress under Minority Whip Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.).

Burr replaces fellow classmate Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), who recently became GOP Conference Vice Chairman. Former House Members, both Burr and Thune won election to the Senate in 2004.

The Chief Deputy Minority Whip job is an unelected post but viewed as a launching pad for higher leadership offices. Burr ran for GOP Conference Chairman in 2007 but lost to now-Chairman Lamar Alexander (Tenn.).