George A. Ray Receives Life Service Award

Washington, DC (May 13, 2008):  For his unexcelled contributions to the employee ownership community, George A. Ray has been awarded The ESOP Association’s Life Service Award, the Association’s highest honor.  The award was presented at the Association’s 31st Annual Conference in Washington, DC.  The ESOP Association is the national trade association for companies with employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and the leading voice on employee ownership in America.

Mr. Ray, Chairman of the LeFiell Manufacturing Company located in Santa Fe Springs, California, has served the Association in every role available to a corporate member.  He is a past Chair of the Association, a former member of the Association’s Board of Directors, as well as, a past President of the California/Western States Chapter and is currently a Trustee of the Employee Ownership Foundation, the Association’s 501(c)(3) affiliated foundation.  As Chair he worked to strengthen, the Employee Ownership Foundation, and was a leading force in the adoption of the Association’s Strategic Plan.

“George is incredible at leading by example, with a soft touch and a lot of class,” said J. Michael Keeling, President of The ESOP Association.  “He is always willing to listen and accommodate others’ views making him a true friend to the ESOP community over the years.  Without his involvement and leadership, the Association would not be the organization it is today.”

The core cause of The ESOP Association is the belief that employee ownership will improve American competitiveness, increase productivity through greater employee participation, and strengthen our free enterprise economy.

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