Dr. Leonard Carpenter III is a native of Tallahassee, Florida; he is a retired Navy Chief Petty Officer, and since October 2018 has served as the Senior Pastor of Saint Mark Missionary Baptist Church in Brewton, Alabama. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Columbia Southern University, a Master of Divinity from Apex School of Theology, and a Master of Arts and Doctor of Ministry from Liberty University.

Leonard enlisted in the United States Navy on 31 May 2000, reporting to RTC Great Lakes. He completed Aviation Storekeeper (AK) “A” School in Meridian, Mississippi. Following “A” School, he reported to his first operational command, VFA 34, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He later transferred to various sea-going and shore-based commands. He was advanced to Chief Petty Officer (E-7) on 16 Sep 2014 while attached to Naval Construction Group Two in Gulfport, Mississippi. He retired from active duty on 31 Jul 2020. Over the course of his 20-year naval career, he deployed seven times onboard four different aircraft carriers and made numerous detachments. He was awarded various other personal, unit, and campaign awards. He earned the Enlisted Aviation Warfare breast insignia, Enlisted Surface Warfare breast insignia, and was designated a Master Training Specialist.

Leonard previously served as prison minister and was as an associate minister at Greater First Baptist Church in Cantonment, Florida. He is married to Casandria, a retired Navy Chief Personnel Specialist. They share six children, five whom remain alive this day.