COLONEL GERALD I. RAY JR.

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)