Michael T. Gray
Michael was born on April 1, 1960, the third son of Denver F. Gray and Dorothy V. Gray. He attended Sam Barthe High School from which he graduated in 1978. He then graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1982 with a BS Degree. He immediately went to work for Gray & Company, Inc., which was founded by his father to underwrite and sell general liability and workers compensation insurance to the oil industry support contractors in South Louisiana, a difficult business to insure.
As Vice President and subsequently President in 1996, of The Gray Insurance Company, the principal subsidiary of Gray & Company, he guided the business through the collapse of the oil business in south Louisiana and New Orleans to its present position as a successful mid-sized insurance company deeply involved in the core business of the New Orleans area.
In 2003 he saw an opportunity to broaden the services the insurance company offered by selling construction surety bonds to the somewhat neglected mid-sized construction businesses in the New Orleans and southern states area.
During this time he was instrumental in the acquisition and turn around of Delta Title Corporation, which is one of the largest real estate title insurance agencies in the state.
As a result of Katrina he moved the company to Baton Rouge and began operations within 48 hours of the storm. He returned the Company to the New Orleans area as soon as the power and other services were restored. He was able to continue to employ over 90% of the employees.
Michael completed the Tulane A. B. Freeman School of Business Executive MBA in 2003.
In 2004 he married Linda Skuba. The Grays now have two young children, Dorothy (Dolly) and Michael. In 2005 he adopted Michelle Skuba Gray and in 2006 adopted Joseph Skuba.
He is restoring his historical home at 1124 Louisiana Ave, which, like many, was damaged by Katrina.
Michael served on the board of the Argonaut Group, a $1.5 billion asset insurance group from 1999 to 2003. He has been a board member of the Louisiana Insurance Guaranty Association from 1995 to the present.
His charitable affiliations include being a board member of the Louisiana Leukemia Cup Regatta (since 1993) and a board member of the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts Institute (2000-2003).
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