Meet Ray
Thankfully, I was protected in the womb of my mother as she fled Communist East Germany. Born in West Germany then orphaned as a baby, I was adopted by a kind Army couple from the South. Upon their return to the States, I grew up nearby as an only child with more than enough cousins.
My parents set examples of diligence and thrift, craftsmanship and care. Their marriage was intact, relatives were cared for and friends enjoyed them.
Driving into Charlotte was always a big event for a boy living in a small mill town in the other Carolina. To get braces on my wayward teeth … or shop in SouthPark … or attend an event at Ovens: Charlotte was a special destination.
Was a lazy student in high school, but kept up with current events. Loved to read. Rode my bike around town. Played tennis whenever I could. Earned an Eagle in Scouts. Mowed lawns (flowers too). Part of the church youth group.
Bloomed at Clemson. Studied history and engineering technology. Still, did more extracurricular than curricular. Nevertheless, I learned how to take responsibility for my own life, think critically and persuade the persuadable.
Work as a student writer in the university information office led to a summer internship with a Senator in D.C. I took calls, served constituents, delivered packages to every Cabinet office (and was cordial to the Dems – really!).
Also went back to observe Communist East Germany. I saw the food lines, sad faces and miserable lives which flowed from living under Socialist rule.
Leadership Philosophy
You can’t go too wide of the mark in personal interaction by following the Golden Rule: simply treat others the way you would want to be treated.
A classic guide of an earlier age also informs my ethic – the True, the Good and the Beautiful. If something defies reality – stop! If an approach leads to bad outcomes over and over, we need go no further. If it’s ugly, it’s probably wrong.
Nor can you get lost too far in the woods if you make patently obvious, practical limits a touchstone for one’s expectations.
Not to mention public policy!
We need Common Sense Leadership. The two pillars of my political approach are simple and straightforward: 1) a keen sense of right and wrong; 2) a quick rejection of evident nonsense.
I will legislate accordingly.
Common Sense Leadership
Charlotte clearly needs Common Sense Leadership. Neither a wild leap into a false Utopia – nor a shrug of the shoulders as if nothing could ever change. Both extremes are irresponsible. Let’s be honest about it: The Queen City has been governed poorly for many years. We are in the yellow zone.
I will do all I can to move us forward, reversing decay and decline. I will provide for our area what’s been lacking: real leadership, clean governance and positive results. A balance between fresh ideas and proven paths.
With God’s help, I will set and accomplish worthy goals for the 88,000+ men, women and children who share my District 88. Leaders get things done.
Work and Career
My first job was feeding Mr. Wylie’s flock of pigeons; I was eight and made a dime a day. My first W-2 employer? a fast food outlet a few miles away; I was fifteen. Felt like a prince when I earned above minimum wage for the first time – a whopping $4.00 an hour. Hard work satisfies while easy grift corrupts.
Knowledge of engineering basics paid off for years to come. I represented an industrial grinder firm to far-flung automotive, aerospace and government customers. Flew out of CLT (Douglas International) all the time – whether up to Detroit yet again … somewhere in the Northeast … Canada … or even China.
After that stint, I drove all over the Southeast as a sales engineer for a Fortune 500 compressor company. Free market capitalism at its finest! Learned how to be on time, fulfill commitments made to clients and truly earn my salary.
Then the non-profit world began to attract my attention. Spoke in many churches and raised money for noble causes. The organizations I represented sought to bring release from poverty through literacy, to enhance leadership in the developing world and to promote compassion for people with disabilities.
I know what it is, my friend, to punch a clock at four in the morning … to miss a flight and be forced to regroup quickly … to apply myself diligently on a project – only to see it cancelled by the boss … to make a big sale (and, yes, lose others) … to mop a grocery store floor at eleven at night. In short: to work.
Sure I’ve accomplished much – by many markers. At the same time, I’ve failed a lot over the years, through which I’ve learned to overcome adversity. What’s the secret to success? to err and err and err again … only less and less and less.
The imprint of family life growing up has made me allergic to half-hearted labor, excuse-making and self-satisfied mediocrity. I believe merit and skill are to be rewarded, not victimhood and lack of agency coddled.
Doesn’t Charlotte deserve Common Sense Leadership, someone better?
Join the Conversation
We want to hear from you! Pop your details in the form and let’s stay in touch.