Jeff Ray
Madison,AL
Summary
Dynamic Operations Manager and accomplished leader with over 30 years of experience in sales, dedicated to leveraging exceptional planning and problem-solving skills to optimize business strategies and streamline daily operations. Results-oriented professional known for developing high-performing teams while enhancing processes and boosting productivity. Possesses a deep understanding of industry trends, outstanding communication abilities, and a keen eye for identifying improvement opportunities, enabling the implementation of strategic changes that drive success. Committed to fostering a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Vice President of Mission Strategies and Impact
Downtown Rescue Mission
04.2026 - Current
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive programs to support community engagement and outreach efforts.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to align organizational goals with community needs and resources.
- Oversaw budget management to ensure optimal allocation of resources for mission-driven projects.
- Mentored leadership team, fostering professional development and performance improvement across departments.
- Analyzed program effectiveness, utilizing data-driven insights to inform strategic decision-making processes.
- Established partnerships with local agencies to expand service offerings and improve client outcomes.
- Led cross-functional teams for the successful completion of major projects, resulting in increased efficiency and client satisfaction.
- Collaborated with senior management to develop strategic initiatives and long term goals.
- Identified opportunities to improve business process flows and productivity.
- Leveraged technology to automate workflows and streamline processes, resulting in increased productivity and cost savings across the organization.
- Reviewed and analyzed reports, records and directives to obtain data required for planning department activities.
Branch Manager Operations
Penske Truck Leasing
01.2021 - 10.2025
- Interviewed, hired, and trained talented individuals with top-level strengths, improving organizational talent, and skill set. Managed the output of four department managers with over fifty direct reports.
- Consulted key customer accounts to boost product sales and services.
- Collaborated with C-level executives and stakeholders to develop long-term financial plans for five locations in North Alabama.
- Developed strategic plans for day-to-day financial operations with revenues totaling thirty million annually.
- Implemented and regularly reviewed financial controls to generate accurate and reliable financial data.
- Complied with established internal controls and policies to maintain facilities to a high standard.
- Held one-on-one meetings with sales team members to identify selling hurdles and offered insight into best remedy.
- Built relationships with customers and community to establish long-term business growth.
- Managed accounts to retain existing relationships and grow share of business.
Selling Branch Manager
Penske Truck Leasing
07.2001 - 12.2020
- Enhanced productivity of thirty employees by handling staff conflicts, evaluations, hiring, and termination processes and coaching employees on company protocol.
- Maintained friendly and professional customer interactions with over eighty assigned commercial accounts.
- Consulted customers to boost product sales and services.
- Evaluated and negotiated contracts to procure favorable financial terms.
- Analyzed business processes to identify cost savings and operational efficiencies.
- Developed strategic plans for day-to-day financial operations.
- Collaborated with C-level executives and stakeholders to develop long-term financial plans.
- Cultivated inbound sales inquiries to successfully convert leads to sales appointments.
- Produced sales reports to monitor sales growth, aging and accounts receivable.
- Oversaw, implemented and monitored sales and marketing activities to achieve sales goals.
- Closed sales by overcoming objections, asking for sales, negotiating price, and completing purchase contracts.
- Participated in onsite and webinar-based sales trainings and attended sales meetings.
- Made onsite sales calls to prospective customers to help sales representatives close lucrative deals.
Branch Manager
Rollins Truck Rental
10.1999 - 07.2001
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring eleven team members including two sales associates.
- Analyzed business processes to identify cost savings and operational efficiencies.
- Developed strategic plans for day-to-day financial operations for location with three million in annual revenues.
- Collaborated with C-level executives and stakeholders to develop long-term financial plans.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Marketing
University of Alabama At Birmingham
Birmingham, Alabama, AL08-1996
Skills
- Team leadership
- Relationship building
- Decision-making
- Critical thinking
- Coaching and mentoring
- Complex Problem-solving
- Client relationship building
- Strategic planning
- Business development
- Results-driven
- Account management
- Operations management
- Customer service
- Process improvement
- Negotiation and persuasion
- Training and mentoring
- Presentations
- Staff development
- Contract negotiation
- Data analysis
- Budget oversight
- Corporate communications
- Sales leadership
- Price structuring
- Metrics tracking
- Public speaking
- Forecasting
- Recruiting and hiring
- Company guidelines
- Profit objectives
- Business growth and marketing strategies
- Data-driven decision making
- Equipment decommissioning
Accomplishments
- Grew North Alabama market from one location with annual revenues of three million to five locations with annual revenues of thirty million between 2001-2025.
- Was inducted into the Penske Winners Circle for outstanding lease sales performance in 2011 and 2020.
- A three time Performers Club winner for new accounts added and most revenue for a Branch Manager in 2018, 2019, and 2020.
- Since 2010 North Alabama locations exceeded consolidated pretax plan fourteen of the last fifteen years.
Certification
- Integrity Selling
- GE Green Belt- Six Sigma Training
- Penske Essential Leadership Skills
- Socratic Selling One and Two
- Accelerated Development Program
- Applied Strategic Thinking
- Diversity Awareness
- Managing Process Improvements
- Addressing Problem Performance
- Attracting, Developing and Retaining Generations
- Sustaining Competitive Advantage
- Thinking Strategically
Languages
English
Professional Working
Timeline
Vice President of Mission Strategies and Impact
Downtown Rescue Mission
04.2026 - Current
Branch Manager Operations
Penske Truck Leasing
01.2021 - 10.2025
Selling Branch Manager
Penske Truck Leasing
07.2001 - 12.2020
Branch Manager
Rollins Truck Rental
10.1999 - 07.2001
Bachelor of Science - Marketing
University of Alabama At Birmingham