Darren Gray has been with the Lake County Board of County Commissioners since November 2010, and was appointed as County Manager in January 2011. As County Manager, Gray reports to the five-member Board of County Commissioners and is responsible for the professional management and oversight of approximately 750 employees and an annual budget of over $430 million.

Gray previously served with the United States Navy as an Operations Specialist/Administrative Petty Officer. He has over 15 years of experience in municipal and county government. Prior to coming to Lake County, he worked for Orange County in various fiscal oversight and leadership roles. After leaving Orange County, Gray joined the City of Clermont, where he performed the duties of Assistant City Manager for six years.  Gray also served as Dean of Institutional Advancement at Montverde Academy.

Gray received both a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Central Florida. His future plans for the operations of Lake County include development of a five-year long-range management and financial planning analysis for both revenues and expenditures.  He also is continuing to work with county departments on streamlining services, and looking for ways to capitalizing on opportunities for economic development.