Ray is a former educator and consultant and an active member in his home community of Moose Jaw.  He served two terms as mayor of the city (1994-2000) and was elected trustee to the Prairie South School Division Board of Education in 2005.

Ray is known for leading the Boughen Commission: Financing Kindergarten to Grade 12 Education, for the Province of Saskatchewan.  In fact, Ray has worked for 35 years in Saskatchewan’s education system; as a guidance counsellor, teacher, vice-principal of an elementary school, principal of Peacock Collegiate, director of education, registrar and director of provincial examinations and student records.  In 1993, he opened a consulting firm, Educational Consulting and Counselling Services. 

Aside from his contributions to Saskatchewan’s education system, Ray has sat as co-chair of the Moose Jaw Multiplex Builders Inc. and chair of the Zion United Church Council. He has served as Vice-President for Cities for the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association, as chair of the 1996 Saskatchewan Summer Games, and as Saskatchewan chair of the Canadian Forces Liaison Council.   He is also a former charter member of the Wakamow Rotary Club and a current member of the Moose Jaw Rotary Club.  Finally, Ray served as the interim president and CEO of the Regina Airport Authority.

Ray received a Bachelor of Science degree from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Saskatchewan, and a Master of Science degree from the Oregon College of Education (now Western Oregon University), majoring in counselling psychology and educational administration.

Ray has two children, Patti and Ryan, and lives in Moose Jaw with his wife, Sandy.