Scoop: Joe Wall joining BlackRock from Goldman to head U.S. government affairs

• "As the role of the team and the needs of our clients continue to evolve, we are committing even more focus and effort to engaging policymakers, particularly in the United States," Kelly said.

Wall is currently a Goldman managing director in the firm's Office of Government Affairs, where he spent 10+ years building advocacy programs — including 10,000 Small Business Voices, which took over the Nationals Park baseball stadium for major events.

• Before that, Wall was deputy assistant for legislative affairs to former Vice President Dick Cheney, and worked on U.S. presidential campaigns and in congressional offices.

What they're saying: Wall's current boss, Michael Paese, Goldman's global head of government and regulatory affairs, tells Axios:

• "Joe is an extraordinary talent who has built Goldman Sachs's political engagement infrastructure over the past 14 years. Blackrock is very fortunate to have him running their government affairs team. I will miss him."

The backstory: Barbara Novick launched BlackRock's public policy effort in 2009, positioning the firm as a "respected advocate for investors and the millions of retirees we serve."

• Kelly said BlackRock wants to continue as a "trusted, expert resource to governments and policymakers around the world."