Ray is 50 years old and has lived most of his life in Fairfax County.  He attended West Springfield High School, from which he graduated in 1975.  Ray went to college at George Mason University and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration in 1979.  He received his law degree from George Mason University School of Law in 1982, and was admitted to the Virginia State Bar shortly thereafter.

Ray was in the private practice of law for a short time before becoming an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Fairfax County in 1983.

In 1988, Bob Horan selected Ray as his Chief Deputy. Ray has served as the Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney continuously since that time.

Recently, Ray was invited by the Chief Justice of the Virginia Supreme Court to serve as a faculty member of the Virginia State Bar's Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Course, a national-acclaimed program for new lawyers in Virginia.  Ray was pleased to accept this invitation, as it is an honor bestowed upon some of Virginia's more outstanding judges and lawyers.

Ray has been active in the community for many years. 

His contributions include:

• Member, Fairfax Criminal Justice Advisory Board
• Chairman, Fairfax County Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program
• Fairfax County Initiative Against Youth Violence
  
• Board of Governors, Criminal Law Section, Virginia State Bar
• Board of Directors, Fairfax Bar Association
• Member, National District Attorneys Association