Ray is not super new to our club, but has never had his member spotlight in the Rotoscope and is ready to turn his red badge to blue. So here we go!
Where I am from: My family and I have lived in Roswell for 35 years. I came here from Maine in 1981. We have also lived in Virginia and briefly in California.
Spouse: Cathy and I have been married for 41 years. She is a Life Member of Roswell Womans Club and is from metro Atlanta.
Children: We have two daughters. Jessica is in Knoxville with our three grandchildren. She is a UGA grad with a Masters from Tennessee. Chelsea lives in East Cobb and is Director of Corporate Communications for ANDMORE (America’s Mart). She graduated from Elon.
Education. I graduated from Bates College in Maine. My degree is history with concentrations in political science and economics. I did post grad at the University of Maine.
Career: Strategic marketing to innovate new ways to address market/audience opportunities has been the primary focus of my work-life. Since 1995, my career has been in the realm of digital transformation and marketing with AOL, NCI publishing, Cox Media, Verizon Connect, and Michelin Connected Fleet. After retiring in 2023, I have grown the consulting business I started in 2007. I consult with small tech companies and destination marketing organizations providing marketing guidance.
Interesting experience: For AOL I was the local director leading the first digital presentation of the Olympics in 1996 and was a sponsor of the Olympic Experience.
My passions: My faith and my family. Tennis (2024 Champion of the Hagan Cup Classic tennis tournament). UGA football and New England Patriots. Also, I am a fan of the Braves and Falcons. My hobby is gardening.
Previous Community Involvement: In Georgia I served as Director of Development for Georgia Easter Seals, on the Board of the Atlanta Downtown Partnership, President of SEMPO, Founder of Senior Living Association of GA, BOD for The Bridge, and tourism marketing for Gwinnett, DeKalb, Roswell, Alpharetta, Marietta, and Dunwoody.
Why I joined Rotary: I rejoined Rotary to better engage with community I have lived in for many years now that I have retired from corporate world. I was previously in Rotary in Portsmouth VA where I served as Communications Chair and managed the announcement of accepting women members into our club. I recall we were the second club in the country.