1. KRISTI RAY
(573) 819-9401
kray66@centurytel.net
SUMMARY
Kristi Ray is an innovative nonprofit executive with 27 years of experience. She possesses managerial experience in all aspects of
association and organization management with specific strengths in fundraising, volunteer involvement, community engagement,
fiscal management and program development.
QUALIFICATIONS
Columbia Chamber of Commerce Columbia, Missouri
Executive Vice President October 2007–June 2015
• Served as assistant to the President of an 1100-member organization with a $1 million budget and staff of 8.
• Assisted with staff hiring, personal development, team building and project assignment.
• Managed the Centennial Investors angel investing organization in an effort to raise capital for start-up
companies.
• Coordinated fundraising campaign to raise approximately $650,000 in private investments to lure American
Airlines to mid-Missouri.
• Managed the 40 in 2020 Airport Initiative to attract new air service, increase the market and improve facilities at
the Columbia Regional Airport.
• Planned and executed the first Leadership Visit, a three-day trip of 35 business and community leaders to
another city to share best practices and to raise non-dues revenue for the Chamber.
• Organized international trips to China, Ireland, Italy and Costa Rica to allow individuals to experience other
business cultures while raising additional funds for the organization.
• Responsible for establishing the Careers in Columbia program to attract employees to positions available in the
Columbia community.
• Managed all aspects of local, state and federal government affairs advocating for improved healthcare,
education and economic development legislation.
• Responsible for articulating chamber positions on Columbia’s three main strengths of healthcare, education and
insurance.
Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jefferson City, Missouri
Director of Chamber Relations and Leadership Missouri November 2001–October 2007
• Member of the management team of a 3,000-member organization with a $3 million budget.
• Designed the annual Leadership Missouri program to improve leadership skills for employees at Missouri's top
employers and to raise money for the Chamber education foundation.
• Continually exceeded the annual goal of 25 participants in the Leadership Missouri program.
• Served as the Director of the Chamber of Commerce Executives of Missouri, a statewide association of 300
chamber executives.
• Established the Chamber Management Academy utilizing the expertise of chamber veterans in the state to train
new executives in the field.
• Taught management classes at various conferences and academies.
• Increased CCEM conference attendance by 55%.
• Facilitated chamber board retreats, featured speaker at local chamber meetings, consulted on volunteer drives
and other local chamber events.
• Researched other state programs to identify new and creative ideas for harnessing the power of our largest
investors and major stakeholders in Missouri.

2. Cedar Falls Chamber of Commerce Cedar Falls, Iowa
President June 1997 – November 2001
• Responsible for a 600-member organization with a $300,000 budget and 5 staff members.
• Solely responsible for all staff hiring, personal development, team building and project assignment.
• Responsibility and oversight of the budget, management of finances and fundraising.
• Encouraged regional collaboration with surrounding communities that later resulted in the Cedar Valley Alliance,
an alliance of the multiple chambers and economic development organizations in the region.
• Awarded the 1999 Communicator of the Year by the Marketing and Communications Professionals of Northeast
Iowa for efforts to bring various communities together.
• Organized the first Washington DC fly-in for the Cedar Valley region in addition to multiple lobbying trips to the
Iowa state capitol.
• Served as a member of the 3 person economic development leadership team that attracted the Target
Distribution Center adding 900 jobs to the local economy.
Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce Kirksville, Missouri
Executive Director May 1992 – June 1997
• Led a 315-member organization with a $175,000 budget and 1 staff member.
• Increased membership by 18%.
• Developed the first Leadership Kirksville program.
• Established their first Government Affairs program.
Columbia Chamber of Commerce Columbia, Missouri
Director of Membership August 1990–May 1992
• Managed records of this 1,000-member organization
• Responsible for billing and all record keeping.
• Worked directly with the small business committee and organized the first annual Business Showcase.
• Managed the Columbia Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors.
Administrative Assistant November 1989–August 1990
• Answered numerous inquiries regarding the Columbia community.
• Managed the 250-member Women’s Network organization.
EDUCATION, CERTIFICATIONS AND AWARDS
Bachelor of Arts, Interpersonal Communications with emphasis in Public Relations
Truman State University, Kirksville, Missouri
Institute for Organizational Management
United States Chamber of Commerce, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas
Certified Chamber Executive (CCE)
American Chamber of Commerce Executives of Missouri
Top Level Lifetime Achievement Award
Chamber of Commerce Executives of Missouri
Communicator of the Year
Northeast Iowa Marketing and Communication Association