Buck, 32, has been the speaker's press secretary for the past three years. Boehner's Buck joins AHIP as VP

Brendan Buck, press secretary for House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio), on Monday was named vice president of communications for America’s Health Insurance Plans.

Monday is Buck’s last day in Boehner’s office.


“Brendan’s experience and skill set will allow him to hit the ground running on Day One,” AHIP President and CEO Karen Ignagni said. “He’s an effective communicator who knows how to tackle complex policy issues and skillfully navigate an ever-changing health care and media environment.”

( Also on POLITICO: The world of Benghazi believers)

Buck, 32, a native of Alpharetta, Ga., has been Boehner’s press secretary for the past three years, and the speaker described him as “crucial” to earning back the public’s trust after Republicans took over the chamber.

“More than four years ago, hardly anyone believed we could win back the House,” Boehner said in a statement. “Listening to the American people and earning back their trust led to a new kind of governing agenda: our ‘Pledge to America.’ Brendan was an absolutely crucial part of that process. Then, he took a leading role in our communications shop, holding the White House accountable in the middle of some of the biggest fights this town has seen in quite a while. I’ve appreciated his advice, his energetic advocacy and his wit … Boehnerland will miss him.”

( PHOTOS: 15 times John Boehner cried)

Buck started in Washington working for Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) and also worked as communications director for the Republican Study Committee. He took a leave of absence from Boehner’s office to work for Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign, as vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan’s press secretary.