{{Short description|Retired United States Army brigadier general}} {{Multiple issues| {{Orphan|date=February 2026}} {{Promotional|date=March 2026}} }} {{Infobox politician |name = Leela Gray |image = Brig Gen Leela Gray.jpg |birth_date = {{birth based on age as of date|59|2026|2|3}} |birth_place = |death_date = |death_place = |party = Democratic |education = Elon University (BA)<br>Ball State University (MA)<br>United States Army War College (MS)<br>Stetson University (JD) |branch = United States Army |branch_label = Service |service_years = 1988–2018 |rank = Brigadier General |unit = 7th Infantry Division<br>86th Training Division |commands = 86th Training Division<br>151st Theater Information Operations Group |battles = Iraq War<br>Operation Joint Endeavor (Bosnia) }} '''Leela Jo Gray''' (born 1966/1967)<ref>https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/02/03/anna-paulina-luna-congress-democrats-election-leela-gray-us-house/</ref> is a retired United States Army brigadier general and nonprofit and corporate governance leader. Following her military career, she has served in leadership and board roles in nonprofit and corporate organizations and has remained engaged in public and civic affairs.<ref>{{cite news |title=Democrat Leela Gray enters congressional race |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/02/03/anna-paulina-luna-congress-democrats-election-leela-gray-us-house/ |work=Tampa Bay Times |access-date=2026-02-03}}</ref>
==Education== Gray attended Elon University, where she joined the ROTC. Gray earned a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications from Elon and a Master of Arts in journalism from Ball State University. She later obtained a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College and a Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Find a Florida Bar Lawyer |url=https://www.floridabar.org/directories/find-mbr/ |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=The Florida Bar |language=en-US}}</ref> She holds a National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) Directorship Certification.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-18 |title=Lee Gray Bio {{!}} NACD |url=https://www.nacdonline.org/florida/florida-leadership/lee-gray/ |access-date=2026-02-03 |website=www.nacdonline.org |language=en}}</ref>
==Military career== Gray was commissioned as a finance officer in 1988 and served in the 7th Infantry Division, Fort Ord, California, the Multinational Force and Observers, Sinai, Egypt, and as the executive officer to the commandant of the U.S. Army Finance School.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Brigadier General Lee Gray |url=https://www.usar.army.mil/Leadership/Article-View/Article/610611/brigadier-general-lee-gray/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20231124035824/https://www.usar.army.mil/Leadership/Article-View/Article/610611/brigadier-general-lee-gray/ |archive-date=2023-11-24 |access-date=2026-02-03 |work=U.S. Army Reserve |language=en-US}}</ref>
She retired from military service at the rank of brigadier general.<ref>{{cite web |title=Brigadier General Lee Gray |url=https://www.usar.army.mil/DesktopModules/ArticleCS/Print.aspx?PortalId=98&ModuleId=104310&Article=610611 |publisher=United States Army Reserve |access-date=2026-02-03 }}</ref>
==Post-military career== After retiring from the Army, Gray transitioned into nonprofit and corporate governance roles.<ref>{{cite web |title=Leela Gray |url=https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/team/leela-gray |publisher=Gary Sinise Foundation |access-date=2026-02-03}}</ref> She served in leadership positions with organizations focused on veterans’ support, public service, and institutional governance. She also participated in corporate governance through board and advisory roles.<ref>{{cite web |title=Board biography |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1895249/000110465922005911/filename1.htm |publisher=U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission |access-date=2026-02-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Democrat Leela Gray enters congressional race |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2026/02/03/anna-paulina-luna-congress-democrats-election-leela-gray-us-house/ |work=Tampa Bay Times |access-date=2026-02-03 }}</ref>
On February 2, 2026, Gray announced her candidacy to run for the US House of Representatives in Florida's 13th congressional district.<ref>https://x.com/leelajgray/status/2018667879038923167?s=46&t=ISF9DDA2vpvlbC53BUnrNw</ref><ref>https://www.leelagray.com/</ref>
==Recognition== Gray’s military decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, NATO Medal, Multinational Force and Observers Medal, and Joint Meritorious Unit Award. She also holds the Office of the Secretary of Defense Staff Identification Badge and the Army Staff Identification Badge.<ref>{{cite web |title=Brigadier General Lee Gray |url=https://www.usar.army.mil/DesktopModules/ArticleCS/Print.aspx?PortalId=98&ModuleId=104310&Article=610611 |publisher=United States Army Reserve |access-date=2026-02-03 }}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gray, Leela}} Category:1960s births Category:21st-century American women lawyers Category:21st-century American women politicians Category:21st-century Florida politicians Category:Ball State University alumni Category:Brigadier generals Category:Candidates in the 2026 United States House of Representatives elections Category:Elon University alumni Category:Florida lawyers Category:Living people Category:People from Pinellas County, Florida Category:Stetson University College of Law alumni Category:United States Army War College alumni Category:Year of birth missing (living people)