WORK HISTORY
Since I was young enough to remember I have always felt the need to help others, which is probably why I excelled in Boy Scouts and had early dreams of being a teacher or coach. When I was old enough to understand that the career path of being a teacher or coach was not going to create the kind of income I wanted, I focused on and pursued a career in sales. I have always enjoyed the challenges, independence, and income opportunities associated with sales.
That Sales Career included working for top Corporations like the Burroughs Corporation, TAMKO Roofing Products, and GAF Materials Corporation. In 2006, at GAF, I was awarded "Field Sales Manager of the Year" as the top performing field sales manager nationally for the largest manufacturer of asphalt roofing in North America. Although the honor was bestowed on me, I am so proud because it was really based on my Sales Team working together to be the highest producing Sales Team in the Country! That was one of the most fulfilling times in my corporate career:
RAY'S MENTORS
True "Professionals" embrace and invest in coaches and mentors to elevate their game and improve skills. In my life I have been fortunate to have several, three of which have significantly influenced my life and am grateful to acknowledge:
The first is my Dad, "Brownie" to most people in my hometown and still actively running his own business in his 80's! I worked for him throughout high school, college and during summer vacations. He taught me so many “hands on skills” in construction that he believed would always give me practical skills and the ability to find work in my life. In that process he also instilled a strong work ethic and high standards of performance by showing me the importance of honor, honesty, and integrity in dealing with others. What I learned from him gave me the knowledge and work ethic to set myself apart and advance my career in the roofing industry with the technical expertise I learned from having "done it, not just read about it".
My second mentor is Ed Reilly. I was fortunate enough to work with for 15 years. Like my Dad mentored me with carpentry, Ed did with Sales. He took me under his wing teaching me more about sales (and life), more than I could have ever imagined. Ed was always encouraging me with his advice then giving me the freedom to either listen to and follow his advice, or not. While he didn't always agree with my decisions, he was always supportive, no matter the outcome. Ed's just wanted to know that I learned from my miss-steps along the way and grew as an individual. He even admits I've even helped teach him a thing or two!
My third mentor is Joel Bauer. Joel is the most amazing "closer" I have ever met in my sales career. He is all about using "Truth, Authenticity, and Proof" in selling. Joel stresses connecting honestly "from the heart" with others and the importance of having social proof that you can do what you claim by creating client video testimonials. His training helped me transition from the corporate world of “trying to be someone I thought they wanted me to be,” to just being myself and pursuing my passion of helping others. Perhaps even more important, he taught me to be "present" by living "in the moment and for the moment"... appreciating what I have, who I am with and most of all, comfort in just being myself.
Since I was young enough to remember I have always felt the need to help others, which is probably why I excelled in Boy Scouts and had early dreams of being a teacher or coach. When I was old enough to understand that the career path of being a teacher or coach was not going to create the kind of income I wanted, I focused on and pursued a career in sales. I have always enjoyed the challenges, independence, and income opportunities associated with sales.
That Sales Career included working for top Corporations like the Burroughs Corporation, TAMKO Roofing Products, and GAF Materials Corporation. In 2006, at GAF, I was awarded "Field Sales Manager of the Year" as the top performing field sales manager nationally for the largest manufacturer of asphalt roofing in North America. Although the honor was bestowed on me, I am so proud because it was really based on my Sales Team working together to be the highest producing Sales Team in the Country! That was one of the most fulfilling times in my corporate career:
RAY'S MENTORS
True "Professionals" embrace and invest in coaches and mentors to elevate their game and improve skills. In my life I have been fortunate to have several, three of which have significantly influenced my life and am grateful to acknowledge:
The first is my Dad, "Brownie" to most people in my hometown and still actively running his own business in his 80's! I worked for him throughout high school, college and during summer vacations. He taught me so many “hands on skills” in construction that he believed would always give me practical skills and the ability to find work in my life. In that process he also instilled a strong work ethic and high standards of performance by showing me the importance of honor, honesty, and integrity in dealing with others. What I learned from him gave me the knowledge and work ethic to set myself apart and advance my career in the roofing industry with the technical expertise I learned from having "done it, not just read about it".
My second mentor is Ed Reilly. I was fortunate enough to work with for 15 years. Like my Dad mentored me with carpentry, Ed did with Sales. He took me under his wing teaching me more about sales (and life), more than I could have ever imagined. Ed was always encouraging me with his advice then giving me the freedom to either listen to and follow his advice, or not. While he didn't always agree with my decisions, he was always supportive, no matter the outcome. Ed's just wanted to know that I learned from my miss-steps along the way and grew as an individual. He even admits I've even helped teach him a thing or two!
My third mentor is Joel Bauer. Joel is the most amazing "closer" I have ever met in my sales career. He is all about using "Truth, Authenticity, and Proof" in selling. Joel stresses connecting honestly "from the heart" with others and the importance of having social proof that you can do what you claim by creating client video testimonials. His training helped me transition from the corporate world of “trying to be someone I thought they wanted me to be,” to just being myself and pursuing my passion of helping others. Perhaps even more important, he taught me to be "present" by living "in the moment and for the moment"... appreciating what I have, who I am with and most of all, comfort in just being myself.
