WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX), Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, today announced the hiring of a retired Navy Captain with years of experience at the Pentagon as her new Chief of Staff.

“Captain Eric Wiese brings more than 20 years of leadership as a Navy officer including serving as the Deputy Director of the Navy Appropriations Liaison Office at the Pentagon,” Granger said. “He has vast experience in forming legislative strategy and in appropriations work. He will be invaluable to my work as we look to increase our investment in defense after years of decline during the Obama administration.”

Prior to serving as Deputy Director of the Navy Appropriations Liaison Office, Captain Wiese served as Commodore of the Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing ELEVEN in Jacksonville, Florida.  He has also served as an action officer at the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon where he helped create the annual blueprint for worldwide deployment of U.S. military forces. Captain Wiese graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1990 and holds graduate degrees from the U.S. Naval War College and the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School.

Johnnie Kaberle will remain the Chairwoman’s Deputy Chief of Staff and lead on defense appropriations issues. Kaberle has served on Capitol Hill since 1994 and has spent two decades working on National Security and Appropriations issues, including six years on the leadership team of then House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO).

“As I take over the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I am thrilled to have in place a very experienced team ready to take the lead at Defense Appropriations and begin the vital work of restoring our military strength,” Granger added.

For more information about Congresswoman Granger and her work as Chair of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, please visit: https://kaygranger.house.gov/.