RDML Epps is a 1990 graduate of Vanderbilt University, where he commissioned through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program. He holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was the recipient of the Frank Hawkins Kenan Award for Excellence and is a distinguished graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.

Epps previously commanded Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Weapons System Support and the NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center in Pearl Harbor. Afloat, he served on USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70).

Other assignments include instructor and educational counselor, Navy Supply Corps School; aide and flag lieutenant to Commander, Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) and Chief of Supply Corps; readiness analyst and program objective memorandum development assistant, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (N80); action officer, Defense Logistics Agency (J33); director, Material Budgets, Naval Inventory Control Point - Philadelphia; assistant commander for Financial Management and Comptroller, NAVSUP; chief, Strategy and Readiness Division, Joint Staff (J4); assistant commander for Supply Operations and Logistics Policy, NAVSUP; assistant professor, Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy; and director, Fleet Ordnance and Supply/Fleet Supply Officer (N41), U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

His personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.