SUMMERVILLE, SC, September 15, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Damon Paul Gray has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Mr. Gray, president and founder of Owner's Pride, has established a distinguished career in the automotive detailing industry, marked by innovation, leadership and a commitment to quality. Since founding Owner's Pride in 2014, he has worked directly with chemists to design and develop the company's entire chemical line, ensuring that each product meets the highest standards for use in their shop. His hands-on approach and dedication to excellence have been instrumental in building the Owner's Pride brand, a venture he is especially proud to have developed alongside his son and with the creative input of his wife, who named the company.

With more than 30 years of professional experience, Mr. Gray's journey began long before his entrepreneurial endeavors. At age 17, inspired by law enforcement and search-and-rescue stories featuring Louis Gossett Jr., as well as a desire to see the ocean for the first time, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. Serving aboard a 270-foot cutter based in Boston from 1990 to 1992, he participated in drug interdictions, fisheries patrols and search-and-rescue missions along routes stretching from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Caracas, Venezuela. Following this assignment, he returned to Cape May, where he spent two years as a range instructor. During his military service, he earned certifications as a gunner's mate, small arms instructor and specialist in 1994.

After completing his service with the Coast Guard, Mr. Gray transitioned into the automotive sector as a subcontractor for various dealerships. He specialized in painting and touch-up bodywork, quickly distinguishing himself through professionalism, articulate communication and respectful customer service. Observing that many subcontractors neglected their appearance or demeanor, he set himself apart by maintaining high standards of presentation and collaboration — particularly with car dealerships and dealers.

As he approached his forties and began experiencing back and neck issues from years of physical labor, Mr. Gray recognized the need for a more sustainable career path. Encouraged by his son's enthusiasm for developing proprietary ceramic coatings and related products, he decided to open a detailing shop that would serve as both a family business and an innovation hub for new automotive care solutions.

Although Mr. Gray did not pursue formal higher education, his achievements are rooted in perseverance, faith and strong family support, values that have guided him through personal challenges and professional milestones alike. Additionally, he has furthered his professional network through active membership in the International Detailing Association.

Born in Onawa, Iowa, Mr. Gray's formative years were shaped by early responsibility on the family farm and a close-knit community environment. The death of his father when he was only 12 years old emphasized the value of fatherhood and of hard work, as Mr. Gray was contributing to the bills by the age of 14. These experiences instilled in him resilience and adaptability, traits that continue to influence his leadership style today.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Mr. Gray is dedicated to his family life with one son and two daughters. Looking ahead, he aims to expand the Owner's Pride brand further while enhancing educational initiatives within the industry. He also seeks greater involvement in charitable organizations and board service as part of his ongoing commitment to giving back.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. The suite of Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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