Employment History:

Published Works:

Public Speaking Experience:

Why He is an Expert:
Mr. Gray has integrated long-range planning for the United States Department of Agriculture. He was also an economist for the Exotic Newcastle Disease Eradication Task Force in California, which they successfully completed for $55,000,000. He was able to come up with a supplemental indemnity that facilitated the completion of the program, which cost an additional $5,000,000.

Best Advice:
“Even though the times, along with technology, have changed, you still have the basic interpersonal relationships to deal with - from your superiors to your subordinates. Behave in a pragmatic manner to get the job done.”

Passionate about:
“Iraq and the war situation, which many people are unhappy with. There’s a difference with the government’s policy and practice. You may not agree with the policy, but when it comes to the support of our troops, it is unquestionable that you support them to the fullest extent. We want them to stay alive and get home safely. That’s why we have to support them – they’re over there representing us. They’re doing their job the best that they can.”

Biography Excerpt:
Lieutenant Colonel Leo Gray has been many things to many people, beginning more than 60 years ago with a stint in the United States Military. Since then, he has worked as an agricultural economist for the United States Department of Agriculture and as the former president of the Miami and East Coast Chapters of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Presently, he spends time lecturing at high schools, where he encourages students to strive for excellence and pursue careers in the field of aviation and aerospace.

     

Cambridge Who's Who: What are your short-term and long-term career goals?  
LEO ROGER GRAY :  I’m doing a lot of speaking at the schools, primarily. I’m working at the Nan Knox Boys and Girls Club of Broward County. We started an Ionosphere club to reach young people and teach them about aviation and aerospace. We’re getting down to youth in the elementary and middle schools, which is younger than what they used to go to. It’s exciting to find the challenge and response of the young kids. We’ve taken them on field trips and people have been amazed at how sharp and knowledgeable the youngsters are.

In the pursuit of your goals, did you have any obstacles such as people objecting your ideas?
Most trouble I had was dealing with editors. When you write something and editors get a hold of it, they give you a hard time. I had a problem when I went to Senegal, Mali and Mauritania in West Africa and did a regional poultry economic feasibility study. When I left Senegal, I sent a report to the regional director of the U.S. Agency for International Development. He claimed I didn’t send in a report. They hassled me when I got back to the United States, but with the help of the USDA editors, we got that mediated. The state department was a little upset with it. I called it like I saw it, since that was my original instruction before leaving the United States.