President Barack Obama announced Wednesday his intent to nominate Department of Social Welfare chair Fernando Torres-Gil to a key post in his administration.

Torres-Gilis is being reappointed to the National Council on Disability, where he will serve as vice chair. He is a professor of social welfare and public policy and chair of the Department of Social Welfare at UCLA Luskin. He is also the director of the Center for Policy Research on Aging.

He was first appointed to the council in March 2010. Currently, he's also on the Board of Directors of the AARP Foundation. Torres-Gil served as the first assistant secretary for aging in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

President Obama said of Torres-Gil and his fellow nominees: "These individuals have demonstrated knowledge and dedication throughout their careers. I am grateful they have chosen to take on these important roles, and I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come."