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President Barack Obama has appointed Rep. Christopher Van Hollen's top aide to be the chief spokesman for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

David Weaver, a longtime Maryland political operative who has worked for Comptroller Peter V.R. Franchot and former Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan, starts his new gig as associate administrator for communications July 19.

At NASA's Washington, D.C., headquarters, Weaver will manage strategic communications and day-to-day press operations. He also will oversee communications at the space agency's 10 research and flight centers across the country. In addition, he will serve as liaison to the White House communications office and will report directly to NASA Administrator Charles F. Bolden Jr.

Weaver, 49, of Silver Spring, declined to comment Tuesday about the new role until the White House announced the appointment, but confirmed that he had accepted the position.

In a statement, Van Hollen (D-Dist. 8) of Kensington said he will miss the guidance that Weaver has provided.

"I've known David for 20 years, and during that time he's been both a friend and an adviser," he said. "I look forward to this friendship and teamwork continuing well into the future."

Karen Robb, Van Hollen's former chief of staff who became director of policy in his leadership office when he became assistant to the speaker in January 2009, is expected to assume some of Weaver's responsibilities on an interim basis until a new chief of staff is hired.

Prior to joining Van Hollen in January 2009, Weaver served as chief of staff for Franchot (D) and was communications director for Duncan (D) for 12 years. He also worked on Duncan's aborted 2006 gubernatorial campaign and served as Maryland communications director for Obama's presidential primary campaign.

He also was press secretary to former Rep. Robert Torricelli (D-N.J.) and worked for the Brady Center to Prevent Gun Violence and then-Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D).

Friday is Weaver's last day with Van Hollen.