Graham D. Wise has been appointed as State Senator Patty Ritchie’s chief of staff, her office has announced.

Ritchie says she is pleased to hire “a proven executive to help me oversee my team.”

Graham worked as chief of staff for State Senator James W. Wright before Wright’s resignation in 2007 to become executive director of the Development Authority of the North Country.

“Graham is no stranger to the State Senate. His grandfather was the state senator representing Watertown from 1947 to 1963. Graham’s father was counsel to the Senate’s from 1974 to 1980 under former Senate Majority Leader Warren Anderson,” she said. “Few people in upstate New York can match Graham Wise’s knowledge of state government or understanding of how Albany works.”

“Graham understands our region’s unique needs, our energy infrastructure, the challenges facing our agriculture community, and what it takes to help our business community,” she said. “Since I took office six weeks ago, I have been assembling a team that is dedicated to helping the people of our region. Graham provides the kind of experience that will help us make a real difference in the lives of the people who are depending on us.”

Wise earned an MBA in corporate finance from American University’s Kogod School of Business in 2001. He earned a BA in political science from SUNY Potsdam and an AAS from Jefferson Community College.