NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey is joining the advisory board of a conservative political group that recruits and trains Republican political candidates.

The Blountville Republican announced this week that he will be part of the 2013 Legislative Leaders Advisory Board of GOPAC.

Ramsey became the first Republican Senate speaker since Reconstruction when he was elected to the position in 2007.

He says GOPAC was crucial to his early success in the Legislature. GOPAC was formed in 1978.