UW College of Law Dean's Advisory Board Member Profile:  Kari Jo Gray

By Meagan K. Ciesla

Kari Jo Gray’s (J.D. '87) career recently took a surprising turn. After 20 years working as a lawyer, Gray decided to try something new. She recently bought Howard’s General Store in Glendo, Wyoming near her home where she lives with her husband Andy, a cattle rancher, and her four children Jason, Sally, Cooper and Emma.

Gray’s career change came after a long successful stretch as an attorney. When asked why she pursued a law degree after attending the University of Arkansas for her undergraduate education, she answered that she was inspired by the work of her father, a general practitioner and county attorney in Lusk, Wyoming.  After obtaining her J.D., Gray moved to Douglas, Wyoming and formed Gray and Associates with partner and UW law graduate Frank Peasley (J.D. '70). During her time at Gray and Associates, her work mainly focused on privatized child support, which eventually led her to the position as the Director of the Wyoming Department of Family Services. Her involvement in the legislature and her roots in Lusk led her to run for the 2004 House District 2 seat, which covers parts of southern Weston County, Niobrara County, eastern Converse County and northeast Goshen County. Even though Gray was defeated, she says of the campaign, “It was a great experience. I loved meeting new people and being able to talk about the issues that mattered to them.”

Until her recent investment in Howard’s General Store, Gray was the Trust Officer of the Converse County Bank for seven years. Though her primary focus these days is running Howard’s, Gray remains involved in the UW College of Law Dean’s Advisory Board as well as the American Bar Association. When asked if she’ll formally return to her practice, Gray says, “You never really know what may happen. But for now, I’m enjoying trying something new.”