Speaker John Boehner’s top aide for more than two decades, Dave Schnittger, has announced he is leaving Boehner’s office and walking through Washington’s revolving door to become a lobbyist at powerhouse Squire Patton Boggs–a move that will give Schnittger maximum leverage for the next two years of Boehner’s speakership.

“We always say that ‘no one ever really leaves Boehnerland’ and I’m particularly happy that Dave–the unofficial ‘Dean of Boehnerland’–isn’t going too far,” said Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) in a statement to Politico. Boehner credited Schnittger as being the “beating heart” of Boehner’s political apparatus.

Schnittger, or “Schnit” as Beltway insiders refer to him, is Boehner’s longest-serving aide.

“Squire Patton Boggs is getting someone with direct access to the Ohio Republican,” reports Politico.

In 2013, Squire Patton Boggs bagged $40.2 million in lobbying fees.