Texas Lottery Veteran Recognition: Patrick D. Hall

Patrick D. Hall graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in civil engineering and a motivation to fly. He followed that passion into the U.S. Navy's flight school and was designated as a Naval Aviator in 1983.

Pat retired from the Navy in 2014 not only as a distinguished pilot – he amassed more than 4,000 flight hours in nine different military aircrafts – but also as an engaging and inspiring leader, who in his final command as Rear Admiral had 7,000 people in his charge.

"Every time I would look to leave the service, the Navy would put something interesting in front of me," said Pat, whose military career unfolded as a series of assignments of increasing responsibility.

Pat's first at-sea tactical assignments were flying the F-14 Tomcat, after which he transitioned to the F-18 Hornet and took command of 18 pilots, 240 sailors and 12 aircraft deployed to multiple war zones. His leadership duties advanced to involve training as an engineering officer on a nuclear power plant, captaining a supply ship, captaining a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and finally commanding an entire Navy Strike Group – which included an aircraft carrier, two cruisers, six guided-missile destroyers, four fast frigates and nine aircraft squadrons.

"If you take care of people, they will take care of the team and protect each other in ways you never thought possible," Pat said. "Leadership is reciprocal, and part of the mission is to not let anyone down."

Pat was determined to continually learn and evolve, and he said some of the best leadership skills he observed were among enlisted sailors. Many found their way onto Navy ships from backgrounds of poverty, hardship or neglect, and they "loved the structure and thrived in it," Pat said.

As his career progressed, so did Pat's aptitude for developing buy-in, understanding cultural dynamics and engaging team members toward a shared goal. For example, Pat's task on the nuclear-powered USS Abraham Lincoln was to turn around the struggling aircraft carrier and get it successfully deployed in service to numerous global operations. Pat inherited a demoralized crew that was failing to meet the ship's maintenance schedule and synchronize processes among military and civilian technicians in the shipyard.

He started with the groundwork, which included the sometimes-overlooked leadership tasks of taking time to interact, be curious and show concern for each person and the job they were doing. Pat also organized a family day on the ship – a picnic at sea – so everyone, including the civilian workforce could appreciate how their labor contributed to the overall enterprise of the aircraft carrier.

"When you build up the crew, you set the stage for group success," Pat said. "And it just makes you feel good to motivate people to achieve beyond what they think they can do and to watch how they blossom."

Pat took his reputation as a turnaround leader – capable of flipping languishing units into flourishing teams – into post-Navy retirement and his civilian career. He coached executives and leaders at all levels in the oil and gas industry and retired from Chevron in 2023.

Currently, Pat is a board member of Honor Flight Austin, an organization that honors veterans by providing them the opportunity to see national memorials in Washington, D.C. He is also president of the Lakeway Airpark board of directors.

Pat and his wife, Gail, have lived in Lakeway, outside of Austin, since 2020.

Thanks to the Texas Lottery, great things are happening all across Texas. The Texas Lottery now consistently contributes more than $2 billion of lottery revenue each year to good causes like public education and veterans' assistance programs. Beginning with the first veterans' dedicated scratch ticket game in 2009, the Texas Lottery has now contributed over $248 million to the Fund for Veterans' Assistance.

Since 1992, the Texas Lottery has generated more than $39 billion in revenue for the state of Texas. Through strict adherence to their vision, mission and core values, the Texas Lottery is dedicated to ensuring that this support continues.

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Texas Lottery Veteran Recognition: Patrick D. Hall