STAFF DIRECTORY
CHAD LEWIS
Rhode Island APEX Accelerator Director
Chad Lewis serves as the Rhode Island Apex Accelerator Director for Rhode Island Commerce Corporation. In this role, his team plays a critical part in Rhode Island Commerce’s efforts to identify and help a wide range of businesses enter and participate in the defense supply-chain. The program provides education and training to ensure that all businesses become capable of participating in federal, state, and local government contracts.
Professional Background
After graduating from Middletown High School (RI), Chad enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he first served ashore with Joint Forces Command located in Norfolk VA. Chad then deployed as part of Task Force Ramadi in Ramadi, Iraq supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. After his first combat deployment Chad served at sea onboard the USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77) as part of CARRIER AIR WING EIGHT supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. After serving two enlistments, Chad was honorably discharged and switched career paths, moving into Government Contracting. Most recently, Chad was a Contacting Officer for the Naval Supply Systems Command located in Mechanicsburg, PA, Chad focused on fixing the obsolescence and audit issues within the Naval supply chain as well as procuring weapon system parts for the Seawolf Class Submarine as well as the Dreadnought Class Submarine for the United Kingdom.
Education
Chad holds a BS from Alvernia University in Business Management and a DAWIA Level II certification in Government Contracting from Defense Acquisition University.
