Dr. John Ray

Dr. John Ray

Panola County

            
Dr. John Ray joined the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority Board as a member in June, 2023.  His career was spent in higher education.  He completed both his B.S. and M.S. at Stephen F. Austin State University with a major in Biology.  Later in his career, he returned to the University of Houston to complete a doctorate in Educational Administration.  His professional career of 40 years was spent at Brazosport College in Lake Jackson, Texas.  He began his career as a biology teacher and spent his last 24 years as Vice President of the College.
Dr. Ray served on many committees related to his college work, including chairing the Texas Common Course Numbering Committee and the Higher Education Coordinating Board Texas Academic Skills Review Committee.  In Lake Jackson, he was active in the community serving on the United Way Board, Lake Jackson EMS Board, City Charter Review Committee, Dow Emergency Advisory Committee, Brazoria County Economic Development Council, and as chair of the Chamber of Commerce.  He has taught Sunday School classes at the First United Methodist Church since 1981 and also served on a variety of committees.
He and his wife, Jane, returned to Carthage in 2013 and have remained active in the church and community.  He has served as chair of the Panola College Foundation Board and the Panola County Retired School Employees Association and on the executive committees for the CISD Foundation Board, Texas Retired Teachers Region VII Committee, and as president of the Panola County Chamber of Commerce.  They believe it is important to “give back” to the community through service.