Stuart P. Ray Email & Phone Number

Grand Rapids, Mi, Us

Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States

Helping both non-profit and for-profit organizations reach their full potential.

Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States

I've been blessed to have successfully worked with a wide range of individuals and organizations to enhance systems, increase profitability, expand new and existing markets, develop sustainable HR processes, align roles and responsibilities, and develop exit strategies.

Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan Area

The Job Post is a contract employer strategically launched by Guiding Light as the organization's third entrepreneurial venture to address the changing demographics of the donor base. This is a community wide effort.

255 South Division, Grand Rapids, Mi

Through the guiding light of God’s Spirit, Guiding Light partners with individuals to fulfill their God-given potential through rescue, recovery, and re-engagement in community.Led board in re-visioning of mission, methods to transition Guiding Light from a homeless shelter to transformative rehabilitation program. Utilized methods, programs and staff to engage clients in participatory program development using empowerment models and personal accountability, Stabilized and revitalized funding base, increasing donors by 110% and revenues by 400%. Positioning Guiding Light as respected regional leader in homeless and rehabilitation efforts through aggressive communications and public relations efforts. Positively influenced dynamic environment of Heartside neighborhood in midst of gentrification and Grand Rapids homeless reduction efforts. Ray has led the organization into several social entrepreneurial ventures all consistent with the vision and mission of the ministry. In 2013 Guiding Light acquired its first transitional housing unit, designed to address the communities housing gap. The ministry currently owns and operates six four-plex units, 42 beds, providing reasonable rent to clients and cash flow for Guiding Light. In February of 2015 Ray led the efforts to open The Job Post. The Job Post was created to achieve two distinct objectives, to provide a Heartside based employment agency accessible to the entire community and to strategically address the long-term loss of revenue for Guiding Light due to a change in the donor demographic.In at the early stages of The COVID Pandemic, Ray worked closely with the local Health Department and other Heartside agencies. In March of 2020 Guiding Light provided at a quarantine center at its 255 Division location. In the fall of 2020 with a shortage of shelter beds, Guiding Light worked closely with a partnership of business, government and nonprofits to identify appropriate shelter space and funding.

Successfully worked with a wide range of individuals and organizations to enhance systems, increase profitability, expand new and existing markets, develop sustainable HR processes, align roles and responsibilities, and develop exit strategies.• For-profit organizations: Beach-n-Delivery, Inc, Tangle, Cartunes, Improvisational Farmer, Toldo Masonry, ICON Health• Not-for-profit: Habitat for Humanity, Second Harvest Gleaners, Holland Rescue Mission, WIRED, Grand Rapids Public Schools/Schools of Innovation

Led a non-profit organization founded by the late Richard Rockefeller which was a leader in the international time dollar movement; a local multi-unit exchange organization with 3,000 members exchanging over 800 individual services in health care, dental, transportation, food, computer skills and respite care.• Doubled membership, developed core branding, increased community awareness and secured financial and community resources in less than 12 months.• Successfully developed sustainability programs focused on earned income models.• Expanded the program to nine new integrated and diverse sites, developed a national VISTA program expansion and negotiated a waiver with the IRS for barter exchanges.• Improved team morale, reinstilled commitment and belief in program and dramatically reduced employee turnover.

A self-started, entrepreneurial and innovative national furniture recovery company focused and collaborating on reselling warranty product within multiple redistribution hubs.• Managed inside sales staff and identified national product and retail opportunities. Oversaw collection, contracts, P&L, budget, HR and financial resource development.• Developed highly competent staff with zero turnover and cost-effective processes and strategies resulting in over $3M in revenue.

Greater Grand Rapids, Michigan Area

President of 42-unit Burger King franchise with gross annual receipts of $60M and 2200 employees.• Grew from 4 units in 1971 with an AVU of $500K to 42 units with an AVU of $1.5M; highest AVU in the Burger King system and the 5th largest operator. Chain was ranked number 1 in the Grand Rapids market.• Implemented HR practices that reduced turnover to less that 50% (industry average is 400%)• Developed and implemented retention programs that evolved into national models in the area of childcare, scholarships and transportation initiatives.• Spearheaded an aggressive career laddering programs in collaboration with other businesses.• Drove unit sales from $500k average to $1.5M through various people development initiatives.• Oversaw function of multi-faceted organization, including handling real estate selection and development of restaurant prototypes enabling more units to be opened each year.• Created programs for training and human development, recruitment and retention practices, risk aversion including self insured products, marketing and brand development, P&L and budgeting, financial resource development, and procurement.• Handled customer relations, establishment of quality improvement practices, and creation of customer satisfaction culture.• Worked with others to address diversity issues in our community, including an original funder for Healing Racism and numerous publications

Bs, Double Major: Biology And Chemistry, 3.5

Married Anne while at Hope College and our son Jonathan was born while we were seniors.

High School, High School/Secondary Diplomas And Certificates, Awful

My grandmother taught me to love unconditionally and I could become anything I wanted. I can honestly say Hazel was one of my most.