WASHINGTON — Tom Ingram, chief of staff to Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., announced that he is leaving that position to become a consultant to Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam’s 2010 gubernatorial bid and pursue other private interests.

Mr. Ingram has served as Sen. Alexander’s chief of staff for seven years after expecting to be in Washington just six weeks while helping the newly elected senator transition into his new office. He has worked with Sen. Alexander in state and national politics since 1974, managing his successful gubernatorial runs in 1978 and 1982.

“I love the Senate and the people who form its community, but it’s time for me to graduate from this great institution and return to the private sector,” said Mr. Ingram, who was named one of Capitol Hill’s “Fabulous 50 Movers and Shakers” by Roll Call, the Web site that covers Capitol Hill.

Mr. Ingram also helped lead the successful Senate campaigns of Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn., in 2006 and former Sen. Fred Thompson, also R-Tenn., in 1994.

“I’ve done some of my best work with Tom Ingram by my side,” Sen. Alexander said.

Sen. Alexander said Mr. Ingram would be replaced as chief of staff by David Morgenstern, currently the senator’s legislative director.

Mr. Ingram also served as staff director of the Senate Republican Conference and will be replaced in that role by Ryan Loskarn, currently the senator’s and the conference’s communications director.