Keith Yehle, director of federal relations for Kansas University, is joining Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, N.M., as its manager of congressional affairs.

Yehle joined KU in June 2005 as director of government affairs in Washington, D.C., and Topeka. In recent years his concentration was Washington.

Sandia Laboratories develops science-based technologies that support national security. It has 8,200 employees at its Albuquerque facility.

Yehle expressed mixed feelings about his departure from KU but said he “looks forward to the exciting opportunities with Sandia, working with highly skilled and motivated scientists, engineers and a laboratory dedicated to protecting this nation’s security and helping this country maintain its science and engineering superiority.”

Before joining KU, the Overland Park native was legislative director to U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., developing policy, legislative and political positions on issues ranging from appropriations to science and technology. He also served as Roberts’ liaison in Kansas with local governments, state agencies and universities.

Yehle, a 1990 KU graduate, said two of his most memorable experiences at the university were his role in working with the Wounded Warrior program allowing for wounded veterans to attend KU and spending a “great 24 hours” with the 2008 national championship basketball team in Washington as they visited Walter Reed Hospital and the White House.