A 1973 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Capt. James C. Murphy USN (Ret) qualified as a surface warfare officer. He earned a master's in systems management from the University of Southern California, then transferred to the Supply Corps. He held a number of key command positions in the naval reserve, including reserve commander, Defense Fuel Supply Center, and reserve OIC, Norfolk Naval Supply Center.

In civilian life, he has extensive experience managing IT services, holding executive positions with Tenneco Business Services, KPMG, Gartner Inc., Oracle, and Trident Management Consulting. He served as president of the W Suburban (Chicago) Chapter and vice president of the Illinois Council of Chapters. He resides in Glen Ellyn, Ill.