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 this passion into US Navy flight school and was commissioned as a naval aviator in 1983.

Pat retired from the Navy in 2014 not only as an outstanding pilot—accumulating more than 4,000 flight hours in nine different military aircraft—but also as a dedicated and inspirational leader, mentoring 7,000 people in his final command as a rear admiral.

“Every time I wanted to leave the service, the Navy presented me with something interesting,” said Pat, whose military career unfolded as a series of assignments of increasing responsibility.

Pat’s first tactical assignments at sea were flying the F-14 Tomcat, after which he transitioned to the F-18 Hornet and assumed command of 18 pilots, 240 sailors and 12 aircraft deployed to multiple theaters. His leadership roles included training as an engineer officer at a nuclear power plant, captain of a supply ship, captain of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, and finally commander of an entire Navy Strike Group – which included an aircraft carrier, two cruisers and six guided ships. Missile destroyers, four fast frigates and nine aircraft squadrons.

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

Pat was determined to continually learn and develop, and he said some of the best leadership qualities he observed were in enlisted Sailors. Many came to the Navy ships out of poverty, hardship or neglect and “loved the structure and thrived in it,” Pat said.

As his career progressed, so did Pat’s talent for developing acceptance, understanding cultural dynamics, and engaging team members toward a common goal. For example, Pat’s job on the nuclear-powered USS Abraham Lincoln was to get the troubled aircraft carrier back on track and successfully deploy it on numerous missions around the world. Pat inherited a demoralized crew that failed to maintain the ship’s maintenance schedule and synchronize processes between military and civilian technicians in the shipyard.

He began with the groundwork, which included the sometimes overlooked leadership responsibilities of taking time to interact, being curious, and caring about each person and the work they do. Pat also organized a family day on the ship – a picnic at sea – so that everyone, including the civilian workforce, could appreciate how their work contributed to the carrier’s overall enterprise.

“When you build the crew, you set the stage for group success,” Pat said. “And it just makes you feel good to motivate people to go beyond what they think they can do and watch them thrive .”

Pat capitalized on his reputation as a turnaround leader—able to transform struggling units into thriving teams—after Navy retirement and his civilian career. He coached executives and executives at all levels of the oil and gas industry and retired from Chevron in 2023.

Pat currently serves on the board of Honor Flight Austin, an organization that honors veterans by providing them the opportunity to tour national memorials in Washington, DC. He is also president of the Lakeway Airpark board.

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

Great things are happening across Texas thanks to the Texas Lottery. The Texas Lottery now donates more than $2 billion in lottery revenue annually to charitable causes such as public education and veterans’ support. Assistance programs. Beginning with the first scratch-off game for veterans in 2009, the Texas Lottery has now donated more than $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. By strictly adhering to its vision, mission and core values, the Texas Lottery is committed to ensuring this continued support.