MEET RAY MCKAY
A native Rhode Islander, Raymond Tyler McKay was born on October 11, 1960, in Providence. The Warwick resident is the father / stepfather of 4 children, has 12 grandchildren, and cares for three Havanese dogs. Ray was the network and telecommunications manager and administrator for the City of Warwick for 26 years.
Ray served in the United States Army for 11 years, from 1981 – 1992, during which he worked on electronic maintenance for the Pershing Nuclear Missile System in West Germany. He also spent time at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Fort Gordon, Georgia, training for 74F (Programmer). He was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant, and received one Army Commendation medal, three Army Achievement medals, and three good conduct medals during his service.
Ray has been a member of the Elks Lodge #2285 since 2000. A grassroots political activist for more than two decades, Ray has worked on local, state, and national campaigns as a boots-on-the-ground volunteer since 2000, and as a campaign manager in select Rhode Island races. His own first run for office was in 1998 for Rhode Island State Senate.
He was president of the Rhode Island Republican Assembly (RIRA) from 2005 to 2014, during which he organized the 22-state 3-day RIRA endorsement conventions in 2006 and 2010. Under Ray’s leadership, RIRA enjoyed some of its most successful fundraising and candidate recruitment campaigns.
EDUCATION
Attended Saint Raphael Academy, Pawtucket, RI
Graduated from Hope High School, Providence, RI
Cameron University – Lawton, OK
Great Plains Vo-Tech (now Great Plains Technology Center) – Lawton, OK
Maryland University – Overseas campus while on active duty – 1984
New England Institute of Technology – Warwick, RI – 1995 – 1997
UNITED STATES ARMY
21G Pershing Electronic Material Specialist – Fort Sill, OK
Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course – Distinguished Honor Graduate
74F Computer Programmer – Fort Gordon, GA