Donald Grady

Donald J. Grady, Sr. was born in Los Angeles and moved back to Memphis, his parent’s hometown, when he was 5 years old. His mother and father were high school sweethearts, and in the early 60’s his father joined the U.S. Army, serving in the Special Forces as a Green Beret during the Vietnam War. His father’s military service made a lasting impression on Grady, influencing him to also serve his country as his father and multiple uncles had. Grady’s military journey started in high school, where he completed three years of Army Junior ROTC, rising to the highest cadet level of battalion commander.

He studied civil engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and joined its Air Force ROTC program. Grady then joined the Air Force Reserves before going on active duty as a civil engineer at Beale Air Force Base (Strategic Air Command) in the Civil Engineering Squadron located in Marysville, Calif. In addition to being a member of the Base Honor Guard, he served on the Base Engineering Emergency Force (PRIME BEEF) prior to the start of Desert Storm.

Grady has over 30 years of human resources management and leadership experience gained at a variety of Fortune 500 companies, non-profit organizations and higher education institutions. As vice president of human resources and information technology, he provides guidance and direction on compliance, policy development, employment law, recruitment and retention, employee relations, compensation and benefits administration. He also oversees diversity, equity and inclusion and manages the information technology services contract.

Grady has served on a number of community organizations and board of directors, including the Sacramento Urban League, United Way of Fresno County, Society of Human Resources Management, Sacramento Area Human Resources Association and 100 Black Men of Sacramento. He is a life member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.

A strong advocate for higher education, Grady has been an adjunct faculty member at Chapman University, Brandman University, University of Phoenix and the California Institute of Technology. He earned bachelor’s degrees in civil engineering and industrial management, a Master of Science degree in human resources management and is a doctoral candidate in organizational leadership at the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Global.