Ray (affectionately known as Chappie) is our fitness, health guru who models what he teaches.
Global Impact: United States, Afghanistan, Germany, Kuwait
History:
Born in Richmond, Virginia, Ray has 36 years of experience leading military and nonprofit organizations. He commanded at platoon and company level and served as a staff chaplain from battalion, brigade, theater army to bi-national and United States Combatant Command. His military career culminated with service on the Department of the Army staff as the Assistant Chief of Chaplains, Army Reserve, advising the Army Chief of Chaplains. As a government civilian, he has served for thirteen years as Deputy Director in the Office of Command Chaplain of North American Aerospace Defense Command and United States Northern Command. Ray has a wealth of experience in teaching resilience, servant leadership, leader development, strategic planning, training management, problem solving and emotional intelligence. He has addressed audiences nationwide on leadership, character development and resilience. He is a recognized national-level subject matter expert in religious support doctrine for homeland defense and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRNE), and Defense Support of Civil Authorities. He is committed to using his leadership and chaplaincy experience for solutions to honor those who have served.
Ray started and pastored a church in Georgia for eleven years. He and his wife, Deborah, live in Colorado Springs and have five children and one grandchild. After a lifetime of jogging in the military, he has discovered health through nutrition and high intensity interval workouts. A disabled veteran, he is a malignant melanoma cancer survivor, avid skier, coffee aficionado and mentor to young leaders.
Honors and Achievements:
Ray is a graduate of Ranger and Airborne schools, earned the Expert Infantryman Badge and received the Legion of Merit Medal.
Author of "Eat Your Dessert First: How to Overcome"
Higher Education:
Master of Divinity, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas
Masters of Strategic Studies, Army War College, Carlisle Barracks
Helping Others:
Ray serves as an associate pastor in Colorado Springs and advocates for the needs of military veterans through coaching and advising veteran organizations including the American Institute of Veteran Research and Policy. He is a member of Military Officers Association of American (MOAA).