University of North Carolina Wilmington will bring an alumnus back to campus to serve as chief of staff.

Bradley Ballou, a 2006 graduate, was selected for the job after a national search, the university announced Tuesday. He replaces Max Allen, who left UNCW earlier this year for a position in the president's office at Clemson University.

In his new role, Ballou will coordinate daily operations in the chancellor’s office, the divisional budget and employment-related matters, according to the university's news release. As a member of the Chancellor’s cabinet, he will "provide support for advancing the chancellor’s priorities and institutional initiatives. He will also serve as a liaison with the University of North Carolina General Administrationm," the release continued.

Ballou currently is director of federal relations for the University of North Carolina system, acting as the primary liaison to the U.S. Congress for the 17-campus UNC system, the release stated.

A political science major at UNCW, Ballou served as student body president and was a voting member of the university's board of trustees. He received a Chancellor's Award for service to the university and a Senior Medallion Award, according to the release.

Ballou went on to earn a master's of professional studies degree in political management from George Washington University and worked for U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-NC). He then joined the American Council of Life Insurers as a federal relations liaison, the release stated.

“I am pleased to welcome Bradley back to campus,” UNCW chancellor Jose Sartarelli said in the release. “With his diverse experience in the UNC system, political and business arenas, he will be an incredibly valuable asset to the university.”