Ray has an extensive background in all aspects of quality spanning more than 30 years. Ray spent 15 years as a Quality Engineer for a major manufacturer of electrical controls and automation equipment in his home area near Knoxville Tennessee, before moving in to the fastener distribution industry in 1991. Ray worked for two years as Quality Manager for the Knoxville branch of Purchased Parts Group, and in 1994 became the Regional Quality Director for that company, concentrating on achieving QS9000 certification for several branches in Tennessee, Kentucky and South Carolina. Ray went on to become Executive Director of Quality in 1998 and managed the transition from QS9000 to ISO-9000 certification across more than 20 locations. Ray’s experience, certifications, and extensive knowledge of quality programs and processes made him the perfect choice to become the Quality Manager of Challenger Component Services in 2004.