Robby Mook, who handled independent expenditures for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee during the 2010 cycle, is being promoted to executive director.

The Vermont native is the first hire for the DCCC’s new chairman, Rep. Steve Israel (N.Y.). Mook transitioned from political director to IE director at the DCCC in May.

The DCCC’s executive director will have a critical job in the next cycle. He’ll oversee House Democrats’ efforts to regain control of the chamber, which they lost when Republicans posted a net gain of at least 63 seats. It will be no easy task in a year when every Member of the House will run in redrawn districts following redistricting.

“Robby has the right combination of experience, political know-how and leadership savvy to help make this the shortest Republican majority in history,” Israel said in a release.

Mook will replace Jon Vogel, who will continue to serve as an adviser, the DCCC said.

“Robby has the tenacity and political acumen necessary to take the fight to the Republicans,” Vogel said.

Mook started working on state legislative campaigns in Vermont while he was in college at Columbia University. After college, he worked the 2002 cycle in Vermont, then worked on the presidential campaign of former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean in 2004. Since then, he has worked on campaign efforts across the country, including overseeing multiple states for the presidential campaign of then-Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) in 2008. He finished the 2008 cycle in New Hampshire, where he helped Democrat Jeanne Shaheen unseat Sen. John Sununu.