Jay was originally born and raised in Lawton, OK but joined the U.S. Air Force in 1989 and served for 24 years in various U.S and foreign countries, including two deployments in support of Iraqi Freedom. He attended Lawton MacArthur High School and received his undergraduate degree at the University of Kansas and his Masters in Social Work and Public Administration at the University of Oklahoma. He
currently lives in Edmond.

While Jay was in Air Force, he served in primarily in mental health, substance abuse, corrections, instructing and substance abuse policy roles. His last assignment was the Squadron Superintendent for the Medical Operations Squadron supporting and assisting with quality of life issues for 200 Airmen. After his retirement in 2014, he returned to Oklahoma became a case manager at NorthCare, a Community Mental Health Center in Oklahoma City, eventually rising to the position of Team Lead of Court Services. He led a team of 7 who assisted those with mental health/substance needs, including Veterans, in attempts to divert them from custody in the Department of Corrections.

Jay became the Director of Support Services in 2019 at The Homeless Alliance to coach, lead and supervise 18 case managers within 5 different teams, including the The WestTown Apartments. Case managers assist with obtaining permanent supportive housing while also attempting to remove barriers from exiting housing for approximately 250 clients in the Oklahoma City area.

In his current role as Licensed Clinical Social Worker, he is the Director of Integrative Services at Red Rock Behavioral Health Services. He oversees the integration of substance abuse treatment, along with mental health, physical health and oral care for clients at 14 sites and 700 staff across Central and Western Oklahoma.

Jay is currently the Board President for the Oklahoma Chapter for National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Board Member for OASIS Clubhouse in Edmond, OK, Board Member for Warriors for Freedom and Governing Board Member for Liberty Dental. He also serves as an advisory member to Crisis Intervention Advisory Group for the City of Oklahoma City.

Jay and his wife, Alicia, were married in 2007. They have
one son, Boston.