Chad grew up in Irmo, South Carolina and attended Irmo High School, where he lettered as a shot put and discus thrower. He was also a member of Irmo's national championship Quiz Bowl squad.

He went on to Clemson University, and worked hard both inside and outside of the classroom. When not in class, Chad was on the Clemson Rugby Team where tenacity and teamwork mattered most. To pay for his education, Chad was a line cook, a gardener and a jackhammer operator for a heavy construction company. His hard work paid off: he graduated in just three years with a degree in Finance, cum laude.

After earning his law degree in 1995 –again with honors– from the Emory University School of Law, Chad became a clerk for South Carolina federal district court judge G. Ross Anderson, Jr. Chad entered private practice the following year and has been practicing law in South Carolina ever since. For the last five years, he has been the managing partner of his own law firm, McGowan Hood & Felder. The firm has three offices and 10 attorneys.

Chad is married to his college sweetheart, Cassie. They live in Fort Mill with their twin eight year old girls, and their four-year-old son.

Chad is member of the American Association for Justice, the Million Dollar Advocates' Forum, and was named a South Carolina Super Lawyer in 2009. He’s an active member of Rock Hill's Christians to Feed the Hungry and a longtime supporter of the Children's Attention Home, March of Dimes, and the York County United Way. Chad, Cassie and their children are members of Christ Lutheran Church.

When not at work or home, Chad competes in triathlons, including the Ironman 70.3 series, which is 70.3 miles of swimming, cycling, and running. He also enjoys the family garden because there are two things money can’t buy—true love and home grown tomatoes.