Rear Adm. Whitney is a native of South Portland, Maine. He entered the Navy through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program at Maine Maritime Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering in 1984.

He received his surface warfare officer qualification aboard USS Luce (DDG 38). He became an engineering duty officer and attended the Naval Postgraduate School. In 1994, he earned a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering and was the recipient of the Naval Postgraduate School Superior Service Award.

His engineering duty tours include: naval reactors representative assistant at Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Naval Reactors Representative’s Office; assistant project officer at Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair Newport News; deputy project superintendent at Norfolk Naval Shipyard; chief engineer aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), completing a combat deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; section head at Surface Ship Maintenance and Modernization for Director, Surface Warfare on the staff of the chief of naval operations; aircraft carrier requirements officer for Director, Air Warfare on the staff of the chief of naval operations; operations officer at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility; assistant deputy commander for Industrial Operations at Naval Sea Systems Command; and the 47th commander of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility. Whitney reported as the deputy commander, Logistics, Maintenance and Industrial Operations, Naval Sea Systems Command in June 2012.

His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with (4 Gold Stars), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Gold Star.