Lieutenant-Colonel Ray Mikkola, CD

Commanding Officer

2000-2002

LCol Mikkola joined the Canadian Armed Forces reserve in 1977 as an Non-Commissioned Member with the 7th Toronto Regiment. He was promoted to MBdr before commissioning as an Officer in 1981.  He was promoted to LCol and took command of the 7th Toronto Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, in 2000. He retired from the CAF in 2003 but has remained active in the Gunner community, including contributions to the RCAA and as former Secretary of the Toronto Artillery Foundation.

LCol Mikkola completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in 1983 and a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1986 at the University of Toronto.  He was called to the Ontario Bar in 1988.  He is also a graduate of the Military Command and Staff College in Kington, Ontario.

LCol Mikkola is the recipient of the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal and the Canadian Forces Decoration with Bar.  He has served as president of the Last Post Fund (Ontario) and is a recipient of the Last Post Fund Long Service Medal.

LCol Mikkola is currently a partner and commercial real estate lawyer at a top regional law firm.  He has been very active in the real estate legal community, having chaired the CBA National Real Property Section and been on the Executive Committee of both the CBA and OBA Real Property Sections, in addition to a number of writing and speaking engagements.

LCol Mikkola is of Finnish descent and speaks fluently.  He is married with 5 children, one of which is a current-serving soldier with the Regiment.  His wife is a school principal.  They live in Mississauga but ultimately intend to retire to their farm in Grey County to raise livestock and enjoy the simpler life.

v.2017