President-elect Barack Obama is forming a White House leadership team that combines experienced Washington insiders who can help build a bridge with Congress and trusted associates who share his Chicago roots. 

And one of them has ties to South Dakota. 

Pete Rouse has been Obama's Senate chief of staff to take care of his business on the Hill. Today, Obama named Rouse to be a senior adviser in his White House. 

Rouse has 24 years of experience as a top Senate aide, also running the offices of former Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota and Obama's Illinois colleague, Democrat Sen. Dick Durbin.