Chad Daugherty is a United States Air Force Veteran who proudly served from 2000 to 2004. After completing his military service, Chad utilized the GI Bill to further his education, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Finance (2007) and a Master’s degree in Public Administration (2011), both from Valdosta State University.
Chad began his career in higher education at Georgia Military College’s Valdosta Campus, where he served as the Financial Aid and Business Office Supervisor from 2008 to 2015. During his tenure, he was also the VA School Certifying Official (SCO), supporting nearly 100 student veterans annually as they navigated their VA education benefits.
In 2015, Chad joined Valdosta State University as the Associate Director of Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs. For eight years, he served as the primary SCO, overseeing the administration of VA education benefits for approximately 400 student veterans each year. Throughout his 15-year career in higher education, Chad was dedicated to helping thousands of students successfully utilize their VA benefits and achieve their academic goals.
Chad also served on the Georgia Association of Veteran Certifying Officials (GAVCO) Executive Board from 2017 to 2023, including two years as GAVCO President (2021–2023), where he advocated for student veterans and VA certifying officials across the state.
In 2023, Chad transitioned from higher education to pursue his passion for financial advising. He now serves as a Financial Advisor with Edward Jones Investments, helping hundreds of families develop personalized financial strategies. In addition to his advisory work, he continues to support veterans and families by assisting with FAFSA completion and guiding them through VA disability and education benefits applications.
Outside of his professional career, Chad is a devoted husband to his wife, Krystin, and proud father to three daughters—Gabby (24), Lilly (15), and Miley (12). Together, they enjoy traveling to gymnastics competitions and creating lasting family memories. Chad is also a committed follower of Jesus Christ and an active member of Northside Baptist Church in Valdosta, Georgia.
