Ray is currently an Army aviator, rated in the UH-60A/L Blackhawk in Charlie Company “Lightning Dustoff”, 3-25 General Support Aviation Battalion, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii.

After graduating in 1999 from Captain Shreve High School in Shreveport, Louisiana with a concentration in engineering, he attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana double majoring in Computer Information Systems and Business Administration. Ray left NSU in 2000 to pursue a career as webmaster for Internet Service Provider, CP-Tel Network Services. Prior to accepting that position, he held a support technician position. Ray also worked for local television station, KNTS-TV 17 as production assistant, videographer, and meteorologist. In the Spring of 2001, Ray left CP-Tel to accept a position as Lead Designer and PHP programmer for e-commerce company, Scenic Blue Web Design. In September of 2001, Scenic Blue closed it doors to business.

Ray enlisted in the Louisiana National Guard in November 2001 as Carpentry & Masonry Specialist. He attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Knox, KY and Advanced Individual Training in Gulfport, MS in 2002. Upon completion of training, Ray worked as a Master Control Operator for KMSS-TV 33, KSHV-TV 45, and KAQY-TV 11. He deployed with the 527th Engineer Battalion in January 2003 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and spent seven months at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. Upon redeployment September 2003, he returned to work in television.

In January 2004, Ray relocated to Bristol, Connecticut to work at ESPN as Master Control Operator. He contributed to the Emmy award winning Sportscenter in 2004. Ray remained in the Army National Guard and reclassed to Intelligence Analyst, attending training at Fort Huachuca, AZ in 2005. In 2006, Ray was accepted to attend Warrant Officer Flight Training at Fort Rucker, AL. He left ESPN and pursued a career as an active duty Army Aviator.

Ray graduated flight school in June 2008, qualified in the UH-60A. His first assignment was Hawaii with 2-25 Aviation Regiment. In 2009, he deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where he was an integral member of Foxtrot Troop 2/6 Cavalry Regiment “Stalker Troop.” Upon redeployment in 2010, he was  reassigned to Charlie Company, 3-25 Aviation Battalion.

Ray has owned two businesses. GatorFace Interactive was a joint venture created in 1996 focusing on video game creation. Burning Star Media was created in 2001 and focused on Internet consulting and web design. Ray’s former clients include Krewe of Centaur, Ivan Smith Furniture, Northwestern State University Athletic Department, KNTS, CP-Tel, Scrapbooking Paradise, Stock Logix, City of Natchitoches, and many more.

Ray has one daughter Harlow, born in 2008. He currently resides in Hawaii.