A two-time state qualifier for Mt. Zion High School, Chad Watson attended Indiana University from 2001 to 2004 and lettered two years on the varsity wrestling team before joining the United States Marine Corps. He graduated from boot camp as the company Honor Graduate, earned the same designation from the Marine Corps School of Infantry and was selected by his fellow soldiers as the one Marine they would most like to serve with in combat. In 2006, Chad volunteered to deploy to Fallujah, Iraq. As an infantry team leader, he led over 60 combat patrols and five ambushes. On one of these missions, he was hit by an IED while conducting a raid on a suspected insurgent's house. The blast caused Chad to lose his right leg above the knee and shattered his left foot and ankle, and he took shrapnel to his right eye and face. He spent the next 22 months going through rehabilitation and multiple surgeries at Bethesda Naval Hospital and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He was awarded the Purple Heart by President George W. Bush and recognized by his battalion as Marine of the Quarter for his actions in combat, receiving meritorious promotions for his actions. During rehabilitation, Chad took part in the Operation Warfighter Program and worked for both the FBI and CIA's Special Activities Division/Special Operations Group, while also working on completing a bachelor's degree. Chad also went on to compete and win his division in the Warrior Transition Unit Chicago Triathlon with a time of 3:48. Today, Chad puts his skills and experiences from the military, educational and intelligence communities to use as the Managing Director of the Aon WorldAware Crisis Operations Center, and he remains heavily involved in the veterans community by working with local and regional governments, private and nonprofit organizations to combat veteran unemployment and suicides. For his outreach to wounded warriors, he has been recognized for his work by Mayor Daley's Veterans' Advisory Council and was also honored as the 2010 Humanitarian of the year for the Northwest Side Irish Parade. Recently, CAREERS and disABELED Magazine named him "Employee of the Year" for his professional and advocacy efforts on behalf of people with disabilities in the workplace and in the community for the Equal Opportunity Publications Award. Chad completed his second bachelor's degree from Indiana University in December of 2013 and is currently enrolled in the Notre Dame Executive MBA program. He resides in Frankfort with his wife Jillian, daughters Shae and Breanna and son Cael.