Col. gerry w leonard (ret)
Business Leader | Veterans' Advocate | Fundraiser | Former Congressional Candidate | Jamestown, Rhode Island
Col. Gerry Leonard served over 30 years in the United States Marine Corps, leading at every level from company command to senior staff. Early in his career, he commanded the I-I Staff of 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines (2006–2008) in Houston, managing more than 900 personnel and $35 million in assets while improving equipment readiness, cutting budget growth, and streamlining global deployment logistics. He then taught at the U.S. Naval War College (2008–2010), mentoring senior officers and revamping the Marine Corps strategy curriculum.
Leonard went on to serve as chief of plans for NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission in Afghanistan (2010–2011), developing the strategic plan endorsed by all 28 member nations. Selected as a Senior Fellow in the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group (2011–2012), he helped design innovative warfighting concepts adopted for further development. As commanding officer of the Weapons and Field Training Battalion at Parris Island (2013–2015), he transformed organizational culture to boost performance.
Before retirement, he served as chief of staff for Marine Forces Reserve (2015–2019), he drove operational reforms improving key performance indicators by 58%, delivered cost savings of $3 million annually, and secured critical cyber infrastructure funding, all while reinforcing the Marine Corps values of honor, courage, and commitment.
After retiring from the Marines, Leonard became vice president of operations at Bentley Builders, a Rhode Island-based construction and facilities management firm. He oversaw projects across New England, emphasizing teamwork, operational excellence, and delivering results for clients in a highly competitive industry.
In 2023, Leonard left his position in Bentley Builders LLC and ran for Congress in Rhode Island’s 1st District as a self-described “common-sense Republican.” He won the Republican primary and ran on a platform of bridging partisan divides, supporting small businesses, and restoring trust in government. Though he lost in the general election, he earned respect for his thoughtful, mission-focused approach to public service.
Leonard’s career history includes over 15 years of expertise in organizational strategy, process optimization, performance improvement, and risk mitigation.
Deeply committed to supporting fellow veterans, since 2019 Leonard has volunteered as a fundraiser for Project Healing Waters Fly-Fishing, a nonprofit helping disabled veterans heal from the physical and emotional wounds of war. With his son, he raised over $20,000 by hiking the entire 2,200-mile Appalachian trail over five months, demonstrating his belief in the Marine ethos of caring for your team—on and off the battlefield.
Leonard holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Hartwick College, a master’s from Marine Corps University, and a Master of Art in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. Thirteen generations of his family have lived in Rhode Island and he remains active in his Rhode Island community, dedicated to leadership development, veterans’ advocacy, and applying Marine Corps values to every new challenge he takes on.