Ray has served the electric cooperative industry for more than 40 years. He retired as the CEO of United Cooperative Services in Cleburne, Texas after 17 years of service. Previously, Ray was the CEO of Southwest Rural Electric Cooperative in Oklahoma for 12 years, as well as the Assistant to the General Manager for the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives. He also held titles of Energy Conservation and Member Services Coordinator for the Cotton Electric Cooperative and the Member Services Director for Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative.

During his career, Ray served as President of the Rural Electric Management Development Council, was President of the Board of Texas Electric Cooperatives (statewide), President of the Board for the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC), and served on numerous NRECA task forces and committees. He is a consultant for GreatCo-Ops and also serves as Regional Vice President of Cooperative Building Solutions.