Colonel Gerald I. “Butch” Ray, Jr. is the Director of Staff, Air Force Installation Contracting Center, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Col Ray is the lead for all staff members supporting an 810 personnel agency with a total contract portfolio of $33 billion. He oversees a team of 87 officers, enlisted, and civilian personnel which coordinates the agency workflow, policies, procedures, resources, and directives for all of AFICA. Additionally, he heads the team responsible for finding strategic sourcing opportunities within the Air Force. His staff support extends across 8 Major Commands with combined annual obligations of $3.9 billion.
Prior to this assignment, Col Ray served as the Director of Contracting for AFICC in support of Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), Hurlburt Field, Florida. As the Senior Contracting Official for AFSOC he acted on behalf of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Air Force Contracting to exercise contract authority and policy oversight for the command. Additionally, he served as functional lead for 172 contracting professionals responsible for an acquisition portfolio valued over $577 million to support combat ready “first-in” Special Operations Forces. He ensures deployment readiness for global operations and leveraged AFSOC contract support for SOCOM, CENTCOM, AFRICOM and SOUTHCOM based missions.
Col Ray entered military service in 1987 while in the 11th grade, through the Army Reserve split enlistment program. He was commissioned in 1995 through the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps upon graduation from Troy University, Troy Alabama. During his service, Col Ray has participated in operations DESERT SHIELD, DESERT STORM, SOUTHERN WATCH, ENDURING FREEDOM, and IRAQI FREEDOM.
EDUCATION:
1995 Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Troy University, Troy, AL
1999 Squadron Officers School, Maxwell AFB, AL
2001 Master of Business Administration in Acquisition & Contracting, Western New England College, Springfield, MA
2007 Air Command and Staff College, Non-Resident Course
2013 Air War College, Non-Resident Course
ASSIGNMENTS:
Jun 1995 – May 1998, Contract Management Officer, 319th Contracting Squadron, Grand Forks AFB, North Dakota
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal
Joint Service Commendation Medal
AF Commendation Medal
AF Achievement Medal
Army Achievement Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Second Lieutenant 2 June 1995
First Lieutenant 31 May 1997
Captain 31 May 1999
Major 1 October 2005
Lieutenant Colonel 1 August 2010
Colonel 1 December 2016
(Current as of June 2019)