Projected winner of U.S. presidential election Joe Biden named Ron Klain to be his incoming chief of staff, elevating his longtime aide to one of the most powerful positions in the White House, CNN reported on Wednesday.

Klain has accepted the offer and will begin a new era of service to Biden, officials said, with a formal announcement set for Thursday, according to the report. 

Klain served as Biden's chief of staff during the opening years of his vice presidency and has been seen as the top prospect for the critical job as gatekeeper to the president. Klain also served as White House Ebola response coordinator in 2014 and has taken considerable interest in the response to the coronavirus pandemic.