I was happy to see the City Council candidate profiles in the Aug. 18 Mountain Xpress, but the profile on Lael Gray, identifying her as a "graphic designer," grossly understated her professional qualifications and experience [“And Then There Were Nine].
Lael Gray has the most versatile skill set and diverse professional background of any candidate. In addition to work in film production and graphic design, Lael has worked as a corporate marketing VP, a local independent retail business owner and a director of the Asheville Jewish Community Center's five-star early childhood, after-school and summer camp programs.
Currently, as the JCC's program development and marketing director, Lael works with volunteers and staff to understand the human service needs of the community and to create excellent programs that will improve community life.
In her work, Lael Gray advocates for children, for the environment, for ethical living, for diversity, for understanding and for education. She has an entrepreneurial spirit, and she builds consensus by involving the people who care about an issue in crafting solutions. Lael Gray is creative, direct, and relentless in solving problems. Lael Gray gets positive community results.
And, yes, Lael Gray is also an award-winning graphic designer. But I'm not voting for her because Asheville might get a snazzy new logo if we elect her. I'm voting for Lael Gray because she will get a difficult job done. Well.
I can't think of a better person to represent me in building a healthier, stronger, more sustainable Asheville.
— Heather Whitaker Goldstein
Asheville
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