Obama names Denis McDonough as chief of staff

(USA TODAY/AP) -- President Obama named long-time aide and deputy national security adviser Denis McDonough to be his next White House chief of staff on Friday.

Obama, appearing with McDonough at the White House, called him "a great friend to me and everybody who works here at the White House."

McDonough, 43, who has counseled Obama on foreign policy issues since the president's 2008 campaign, will replace Treasury Secretary-designate Jack Lew.

The McDonough appointment is part of an overall revamping of Obama's executive staff as he starts a second term.

Among the changes: Top congressional lobbyist Rob Nabors will become deputy chief of staff for policy; Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer will move to a senior adviser's role; Pfeiffer deputy Jennifer Palmieri will be the new communications director.

Tony Blinken, national security adviser to Vice President Biden, will replace McDonough as Obama's deputy national security adviser.

Officials spoke about the changes on the condition they not be named so as not to preempt Obama's formal announcement later today.

The new appointees and their jobs:

Rob Nabors -- Deputy White House Chief of Staff for Policy

Tony Blinken -- McDonough's old job as Deputy National Security Adviser

Danielle Gray -- Cabinet Secretary

Katy Kale -- Assistant to the President for Management and Administration

Lisa Monaco -- Deputy National Security Advisor for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism (upon confirmation of John Brennan as director of the CIA).

Jennifer Palmieri -- Communications Director

Dan Pfeiffer -- Senior Advisor to the President

Miguel Rodriguez -- Director of Legislative Affairs

David Simas -- Deputy Senior Advisor for Communications and Strategy