Speaker John A. Boehner, R-Ohio, will nominate his long-time confidant Ed Cassidy as chief administrative officer of the House when the second session of the 113th Congress convenes in January, CQ Roll Call has learned.

Cassidy, the director of House Operations for the speaker’s office, is a veteran presence in Boehner’s ranks. The current House CAO, Dan Strodel, announced he was retiring last week. He has been in the position since July 2010.

“Ed Cassidy knows every nook and cranny of the people’s House,” Boehner said in a statement obtained by CQ Roll Call. “Here on Capitol Hill, he has long been a go-to guy for officers, staff, and especially lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. That is a tribute to Ed’s integrity and even-handed judgment, which has guided every institutional decision I have made. No one is better suited to serve as our next chief administrative officer, and I’m confident the full House will agree. Losing Ed from my office makes this nomination bittersweet, but knowing how much good he will do for the institution makes it a proud one as well.”

Cassidy has more than three decades of experience in the legislative and executive branches of government, including working in the administration of President George Bush. Before joining Boehner in 2007, Cassidy was chief of staff for Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash. He also held senior positions with the House Ethics and Rules committees.

Cassidy also served as deputy director of the U.S. Minerals Management Service, as the Interior Department’s deputy chief of staff and as deputy assistant secretary for policy, management and budget.

“I’m deeply honored by Speaker Boehner’s confidence in me, and grateful for this opportunity to continue serving an institution that I love,” Cassidy said in the statement.

The nonpartisan, non-legislative CAO’s office supports members, staff and employees — a workforce of nearly 10,000 people — managing everything from furniture installation in congressional offices to payroll and parking issues.