House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) has tapped Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) to serve as chairman of Republican leadership.

As chairman, the six-term Walden will direct the House GOP Transparency Initiative, a “project aimed at making the House more open and accountable to the American people.”

Walden will retain his position as a Deputy Whip and the deputy chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, according to a release from Boehner’s office.

The chairmanship has been vacant since 2005, when then-Rep. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) held the job. Former Reps. Bob Walker (R-Pa.) and Bill Paxon (R-N.Y.) have also served in the position.

Asked why Boehner chose to fill the position now, spokesman Michael Steel said, “The leaders wanted Rep. Walden’s voice at the leadership table.”