Transportation: REAR ADM. CHRISTOPHER SCOTTY’ GRAY

Gray took over leadership of the U.S. Navy’s mid-Atlantic region from Rear Adm. Charles “Chip” Rock during a change of command ceremony in June. Rock had led operations in the region since 2018 and retired after 35 years of service.

Gray is responsible for 14 naval installations — including the Naval Station Norfolk, the world’s largest Navy base — and nearly two dozen reserve outposts from Wisconsin through North Carolina. But he’s no newcomer. Gray is a Virginia Beach native and naval flight officer who served with several Norfolk-based Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadrons.

Prior to his most recent tour, Gray led Naples, Italy-based Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central. He was responsible for nine installations stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Arabian Gulf and from Northern Europe to Africa, beginning in May 2020.

Gray earned his bachelor’s degree in international relations from the University of South Florida and worked as an investment banker before receiving his commission through the Navy’s Aviation Officer Candidate Program.

BEVERAGE OF CHOICE: Italian wine

BEST ADVICE FOR OTHERS: When confronted with hard choices, always make principled decisions — that way you never have to second-guess yourself.