Christopher N. Gray has served more than four years as a member of Caldwell’s board of directors and says he has enjoyed every moment of it. That’s been his style throughout his life, finding the joy in whatever he does—and what he has done has been colorful.
Calling Chris “versatile” would be an understatement. A hitch as an Army sergeant in Vietnam interrupted his schooling at Valencia Community College. Nevertheless, this preacher’s son worked his way to his degree, first as a liquor truck driver for two years and then, after the Army, as a banker. The young teller advanced to assistant vice president. He also became intrigued by Paula, another banker. They married in 1978.
Chris soon succumbed to his heritage and became an Episcopal minister following in the path of his father and his greatgrandfather, who was the first Episcopal bishop of South Florida. In 2010 he retired from his 31-year ministry, which encompassed two Florida churches (Grace Episcopal Church, Port Orange, 12 years; St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Venice, 19 years). The same day day he retired, he accepted a part time position as development officer with the Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida.
In September 2010 he also accepted an invitation from R. G. “Kelly” Caldwell Jr., CEO and president, to serve as a Caldwell director. He had known Kelly’s family for about a dozen years, as well as members of Caldwell’s professional family. He says, “I was impressed with Kelly’s passion for the work that Caldwell does and his desire to assist people through transitional periods of their life.” Now Chris has joined in Caldwell’s mission, serving on three committees: Trust, Audit and Trust Acceptance.
Besides his work for the Episcopal Diocese and Caldwell Trust Company, Chris continues as a community volunteer. He is currently a director of the Suncoast Community Blood Bank, chaplain for Venice Yacht Club and a longtime member of VeniceNokomis Rotary Club. His former board service includes seven years with the Salvation Army in Venice and six with Gulf Coast Community Foundation, where he still assists with grant reviews.
He enjoys vacationing in North Carolina’s mountains with Paula. “We have a couple of bicycles we don’t ride enough,” he says. Their two grown children and one grandchild live nearby in Sarasota and Venice.
Chris is dedicated to Caldwell. “They vow always to be ‘Personal, Traditional, Independent.’ These three words are very important to me. As a board member as well as a client, I have experienced all three,” he says. “On their website, Caldwell asks, ‘Why Us?’. Their answer, ‘Caldwell Cares,’ speaks volumes. Caldwell cares about its clients and its community. The board and trust officers are all engaged in community service because we care.”
About Caldwell Trust Company
Caldwell Trust Company is an independent trust company with offices in Venice and Sarasota, Florida. Established in 1993, the firm currently manages over $800 million in assets for clients throughout the United States. The company offers a full range of fiduciary services to individuals, including services as trustee, custodian, investment adviser, financial manager and personal representative. Additionally, Caldwell manages 401(k) and 403(b) qualified retirement plans for employers.
