Chad Paton is originally from Michigan. He has an associate’s degree from Northwestern Michigan College, a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Michigan State University, a doctor of philosophy degree in exercise physiology from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a master’s degree in international policy from the University of Georgia. He lives with his wife, Jamie, in Oconee County. He attends Grace Fellowship Church.

Chad is an associate professor at the University of Georgia, where he teaches nutritional biochemistry and leading a research program on lipid metabolism to address conditions like hyperlipidemia and fatty liver. He previously worked at Texas Tech University—where he began his academic career in 2011—and completed postdoctoral research at the Blood Research Institute and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He was previously an assistant professor at the Univeristy of Georgia, and prior to that served as an assistant professor at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. Chad has served as a Civil Affairs Officer in the United States Army Reserve for twelve years, holding the rank of Major.

Chad's campaign for Georgia State Representative, District 120 is his first run for public office.