Serving with the United States Marine Corps for over 20 years, Ray Rodriguez first entered the armed forces in 1973. During his successful military tenure, he simultaneously trained as a deputy sheriff for Larimer County, Colorado, in 1980. Retiring from the United States Marine Corps at the rank of gunnery sergeant in 1994, he subsequently joined Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where he served as an inventory control manager and buyer through Kaman Corporation for nearly a decade.
From there, Mr. Rodriguez served the Bureau of Reclamation for one year as an aviation logistics manager. Concurrently, he was an inventory control manager and buyer for the Bureau of Land Management in Montrose, Colorado, before being promoted to inventory control manager of aviation logistics supply and support. He retired from full-time work in 2005. While tending to his vocational activities, Mr. Rodriguez received a Bachelor of Business Administration in management and operations from the University of New Mexico in 2004. He previously completed coursework in aviation management and operations at the Marine Mechanized Aviation Logistics School and in aviation logistics and operations at the Senior Marine Aviation Logistics School.
Drawing upon a drug abuse certification and a certification in hazard communication, Mr. Rodriguez has been bestowed with a myriad of accolades. For his work in the military, he earned two Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medals, having previously received three Sea Service Medals in 1978, 1983 and 1986. Additionally, Mr. Rodriguez was honored with the Combat Action Ribbon in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1983, as well as seven Good Conduct Medals, the Navy Commendation Ribbon, several Meritorious Service Medals, and approximately six Meritorious Masts for outstanding service as a non-commissioned officer in every division in which he led in the aviation supply department.
Mr. Rodriguez maintains membership with Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Disabled American Veterans and Paralyzed Veterans of America. Looking forward, he intends to continue enjoying post-retirement life and partake in his many hobbies.
