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, but had 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 Senator Strom in D.C. I took calls, served constituents, delivered packages to every Cabinet office (and was cordial to the other party).Also went back to Communist East Germany. I saw the food lines, sad faces and miserable lives which flowed from living under Socialist rule.

A wife and two young children constantly make me forward-looking. Watching Charlotte go down hill the past five plus years – little by little and in sudden outbursts – saddens me. Who doesn’t want their children’s lives to be safe, innocent and happy? Recalling what Charlotte was - and imagining what she could be – is one of the main reasons I wish to serve my community (District 88) as your active voice in the North Carolina House of Representatives. Enjoy reading biographies and taking neighborhood walks with the Fam. 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. Nor can you get lost too far in the woods if you make patently obvious, practical limits a touchstone for expectations. Not to mention public policy!