Ford Motor Co. has recruited Pete Lawson from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to lead the company’s government relations office in Washington, D.C.

Lawson will replace Bruce Andrews as vice president of government relations. Andrews recently departed Ford to become general counsel for the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee under Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.).

Lawson has been at the chamber for the past five years, most recently as vice president of Congressional affairs. He was the business group’s chief lobbyist on legal reform, corporate governance and financial services issues.

Prior to joining the chamber, Lawson served as senior counsel to Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.). He also worked as a consumer protection specialist in the North Carolina attorney general’s office from 1989 to 1993.

Ford Motor Co. spent $7.7 million on lobbying in 2008, according to Senate disclosure records.