Captain Chatham is a native of LaPlace, Louisiana and a graduate of East St. John High School in Reserve, Louisiana. He received his commission through the Naval ROTC program after graduating from Temple
University in Philadelphia, PA in May of 1987.

Upon designation as a Naval Aviator in June of 1989, he reported to Patrol Squadron FORTY (VP-40), NAS Moffett Field, California.  There he served as Nuclear Weapons Safety/Training Officer, Pilot Training Officer
and Pilot NATOPS Officer earning designations as Patrol Plane Instructor Pilot and Patrol Plane Mission Commander.  During this tour he deployed to Misawa, Japan and detached to Adak, Alaska, Diego Garcia (British Indian Ocean Territory – B.I.O.T.) and Panama.

Captain Chatham transferred to Training Squadron TWO (VT-2) in Milton, Florida in May of 1993.  During this three-year tour, he served as Public Affairs Officer, Pilot NATOPS Officer and Assistant Safety Department Head.  In June of 1996, Captain Chatham reported aboard USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69), where he served as the Air Department Administrative Officer and Catapult and Arresting Gear (V-2) Division Officer.  During this tour he deployed to the Mediterranean and Arabian Gulf.

In October 1998, Captain Chatham joined Patrol Squadron FORTY-SEVEN (VP-47) based at Marine Corps Air Facility Kaneohe, Hawaii.  During this tour he served as Safety Officer, Training Officer, Maintenance Officer and PATRON DET Kadena Officer-in-Charge, with deployments to Misawa, Japan and Diego Garcia.

In January 2001, Captain Chatham reported to Commander Patrol and Reconnaissance Force Atlantic (CPRFL), where he served as the Force Maintenance and Logistics Officer (N4) until his departure in June, 2003.

In July 2003, Captain Chatham joined Advanced Multi-Engine Training Squadron THRITY-ONE (VT-31) in Corpus Christi, Texas as Executive Officer and subsequently assumed command in February 2004.  During his tour as Commanding Officer, he directed the first T-44C digital cockpit transition upgrade and led his squadron in receipt of both the CNO Safety and the Admiral John H. Towers Safety awards.

Captain Chatham was then assigned in June 2005 to the staff of Commander, U.S. Navy Central Command in Manama, Bahrain as the Deputy Department Head for Policy, Plans and Pol-Mil, Theatre Security Cooperation and Exercises (N5).  He became the N5 Department Head in February 2006, leading the command’s orchestrated efforts in consequence management planning, major campaign war planning, theater security cooperation and campaign assessment.

Following this tour, he attended the Joint Advanced Warfighter School at the National Defense University.  He was graduated in June 2007, earning a Masters of Science degree in Joint Campaign Planning and Strategy.  Upon graduation, he reported to Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia where he served as the Joint Capability Development, Joint Management Office Division Head (J82).

From June 2010 to June 2011, Captain Chatham served as the 33rd Commanding Officer of U.S. Navy Support Facility, Diego Garcia, enabling forward deployed U.S. and coalition operational forces and directly supporting four Combatant Commanders from this strategically critical location.

His personal awards include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (3), Joint Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (3), Navy Achievement Medal (4) and various unit commendations and campaign awards.