The nation’s largest nursing home association has turned to a former Nebraska U.S. Representative and Omaha mayor for its new leader.

The American Health Care Association announced this morning that Harold J. “Hal” Daub Jr. will succeed Dr. Charles Roadman II as the group’s president and CEO. Daub will also head the AHCA’s sister group, the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL).

The switch will be made officially at the association’s July 19 board of directors meeting. Roadman, who has led the association for nearly five years, announced earlier this year that he would not seek a second contract extension and would step down when his contract expired in October.

Daub is currently a partner with the Kansas City-based, international law firm of Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin LLP. He previously served as a Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives (1980 to 1988) and was mayor of Omaha from 1995-2001.

In 2002, Daub was appointed by President George W. Bush to a four-year term as Chairman of the independent, bipartisan Social Security Advisory Board, a term he will complete while also leading AHCA and NCAL. The first President Bush named Daub to the National Advisory Commission on Public Service in 1990.

While in Congress, Daub served on the House Ways and Means Committee, an especially attractive feature to AHCA leaders, who conducted a nationwide search for Roadman’s replacement. Daub also served on the House’s Public Works and Transportation Committee and the Small Business Committee.

“I am excited about this opportunity to help affect the public policy changes urgently needed to ensure every American has ready access to quality long-term care – especially those in their retirement years,” said Daub in a statement released by AHCA. “The societal and financial implications associated with America’s rapidly aging population are enormous – and we must prepare our nation today for the demographic challenges we will undoubtedly confront tomorrow.”