James C. (Jay) Cheney graduated from Mt. Lebanon High School in 1961, where he was a varsity athelete in football and baseball, and attended the United States Naval Academy (USNA) after graduation. After his graduation from USNA in 1965, Jay served over 29 years in the Navy, retiring in 1994 with the rank of Captain. His Navy service included a tour in Vietnam, the receipt of a Masters in Business Administration with distinction from the University of Michigan in 1971, a tour as the head of the Navy's Field Contracting System, a Commanding Officer position at the Naval Supply Center, Jacksonville, Florida, and a tour as the Inspector General for the U.S. Navy Supply Corp. Jay's military decorations include three Legions of Merit and the Combat Action Ribbon.

After retiring from the Navy, Jay worked in the private sector until 2006 . He then returned to Government service as a senior contracting official with the National Reconnaissance Office, a position he still holds today in 2009.

Jay's family includes his wife of 43 years, Lesley, his two children, Johanna and Mitch, and four grandchildren. He is a patriot and a proud graduate of Mt. Lebanon High School which was the basis for what he became and for what he is now.