Consulting Magazine Top 25 Consultants Nomination
Ronald E. Ray
Public Sector Category
If you’re in the Public Sector, and especially focused on the US federal government, you know Ronald E. Ray. Ronald has had a long career in the Public Sector, including a highly distinguished military career, and his former company – Ray Group International (RGI) – was well known for its work with the VA and VHA, delivering sustainable, innovative solutions in government health care. Just this past year, in November, 2012, RGI was acquired by PwC and Ronald is now a managing director in PwC’s Public Sector Practice (PSP), where he brings his proven leadership, deep sector insight and experience to bear on the challenges and opportunities faced by the firm’s public sector clients.
Ronald played an integral role in the seamless transition of RGI to PwC during the acquisition of his company. He has heavily focused his efforts on stabilizing and maintaining customer relationships and has given special attention to veteran affairs. Ronald’s leadership and client-centric approach has brought added value to PwC’s Public Sector Practice which provides the highest quality of service to its federal government clients.
Ronald has dedicated his life to the Public Sector, exemplified through his achievements in the military and his business ventures. Enlisting in the Army in 1958 and volunteering for the Special Forces in 1960, Ronald has served 20 years of active military duty. In1966 as a platoon leader in Vietnam, a unit of Ronald’s men came under enemy fire and when his commander informed him that there were no units close enough to reinforce or rescue his men, Ronald told the trapped men that he would get them himself. During the rescue mission, Ronald used his body to shield two of his men from a grenade blast and sustained multiple injuries from machine gun fire, momentarily paralyzing his legs. On May 14, 1970, President Richard Nixon presented Ronald with the highest military decoration – The Medal of Honor – for his heroic actions. He has also been recognized with the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Purple Heart.
After taking medical leave from the military, Ronald served as special assistant to the Secretary of Commerce in 1974. He was confirmed by the Senate on November 19, 1989, following his nomination by President George H. Bush, as the Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration in the Department of Veterans Affairs. In 2008 Ronald established Ray Group International, a Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business (SDVOB). Four years later, Ronald joined PwC when the firm acquired RGI.
“PwC is committed to bringing the best talent and service to our Public Sector clients,” said Scott McIntyre, PwC’s US and Global Public Sector Leader. “Ronald Ray brings our clients a caliber of innovation and insight that simply cannot be topped. When you couple his knowledge of the Public Sector, particularly with Veterans Affairs, with the deep level of integrity he demonstrates every day with our clients, partners and staff, you have a consultant who is unmatched. You will not find anyone more deserving of recognition as a top consultant in the Public Sector.”
Pledging to never retire, Ronald looks forward to each day with passion and dedication for his work and the people in his life. He says: “My success is people. Surround yourself with people who want you to succeed, not because you are forcing them to, but because they want you to. That’s the kind of atmosphere that builds success.” It is with this philosophy that he commits himself to the Public Sector and to PwC clients, bringing fresh energy and renewed enthusiasm each day.
Ronald holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma and holds a Bachelor degree in History from the University of Tampa. Ronald is the former president and current member of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. He is also a member of the White House Fellows Association, Omicron Delta Kappa, Legion of Valor, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the American Legion.