Ray has been serving alongside the Landscaping and Natural Resources team at UCF since March 2012. He currently serves as the Coordinator of Natural Resource Programs (Urban Forestry and Land Management). He is a Certified Arborist with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) and attended UCF, earning a BS degree in Biology in 1998. Ray earned his Certificate in Natural Areas Management (CNAM) in March of 2010; a program developed by The Nature Conservancy and the University of Florida IFAS Extension Service and he is a graduate of the University of Florida’s Master Naturalist Program.
Ray supervises the UCF Tree Team as part of the UCF Urban Forestry Program. The team is responsible for the overall care of the campus tree canopy including tree selection, installation, pruning, nutritional / disease management and solving hazardous tree conflicts. Additionally, he supervises the Natural Resources Team which manages more than 800 acres of natural habitats around the university. Their duties include managing invasive species, environmental compliance permitting, and habitat restoration using mechanical manipulation and prescribed fire.
When he’s not at work, Ray enjoys running, surfing and spending time with his wife and 4 year old daughter.
He’s a proud Knight who brings enthusiasm, professionalism and motivation to the Natural Resources and Tree teams