Captain Kay was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He attended The Citadel in South Carolina and majored in International Relations, commissioning via the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps in May 2008. Upon being assigned as an infantry officer, he reported to Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. He served as a rifle platoon commander in Helmand Province, Afghanistan from March 2010 to October 2010. He served as company executive officer in Sangin, Afghanistan from September 2011 to March 2012.
In June 2012, Captain Kay reported to Recruiting Station Sacramento. He served as the operations officer from June 2012 to August 2013, and the executive officer from August 2013 to June 2014. In June 2014 he was reassigned as the Commanding Officer of Recruiting Station Sacramento.
Captain Kay's personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Combat "V", the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Captain Kay is married to the former Jenna Arington of Jerusalem, New York.