Posted: October 11, 2011

Gray Bowditch, 27

Adminstrative director, The Community Free Clinic of Newport News

At work

Upon graduating from William and Mary School of Law, I joined the law firm of Jones, Blechman, Woltz, & Kelly PC. I was asked to serve as a founding board member of a new community health center, the Community Free Clinic of Newport News. About a year later, I was asked to come on as the paid director. I have been since August of 2010.

Home and family

Newport News; mother, Lee; father, Phil; sister, Lisa; girlfriend, Julie; dog, Sundae.

Volunteer activities

Vice president and a founding board member of the Newport News Police Foundation; executive committee member and co-chairman elect of People to People, a community organization directed at enhancing race relations and improving the quality of life on the Peninsula; Alumni Council for Hampton Roads Academy; chairman of numerous fundraising efforts for the Boy Scouts.

Proudest work accomplishment

Serving as a director at the NNFC, which provides primary medical and dental care to the uninsured residents of the Virginia Peninsula. Accomplishments with the assistance of a staff of more than 75 paid and volunteer medical and administrative personnel include securing a licensed in-house pharmacy, assisting in fundraising for several years of sustainability, setting up a part-time dental program and supervising care provided to a patient base of more than 1,000.

Balancing time

Haven't mastered that yet, will listen to all suggestions.

Downtime

I love spending time with close friends and family enjoying sunsets on the James River from a dock or on a boat.

Professional goal in five years

I plan to be a young respected leader in the health care environment applying my professional experience in law and health care to help make a difference in the future of the health care industry and its access for people of Virginia.

Biggest success factor

Men in my life like my grandfathers Herb Kelly and Bill Bowditch. They are the benchmark for my future and the models for my success; loving husbands, affectionate fathers, patriots and most of all genuine gentlemen.

The one thing I'd change about Hampton Roads Hampton Roads

Would be a higher prioritized destination for young professionals to start a career, raise a family and consider getting involved in civic organizations.

Dream dinner party guest list

My grandfathers Herb Kelly and Bill Bowditch, John W. Hornsby (my great-grandfather), Chip Mason (founded Newport News originally based company Legg Mason, now Smith Barney), Henry Ford, Franklin O. Blechman (founding partner of JBW&K and tireless civic leader), and Dr. C. Waldo Scott (prominent surgeon in Newport News during Civil Rights Movement).

What gets under your skin?

It is unfortunate how young professionals fail to appreciate the voice and wisdom of our elders.