Ray's prior experience includes 33 years with First Union National Bank/Wachovia Bank, retiring as Executive Vice-President and Senior Credit Officer. Ray was involved in working with high net worth individuals and large business entities for most of his career. His career took him to 6 different locations in North Carolina and Virginia. Ray was published in The Risk Management Association Journal. After retiring from banking, Ray earned his Certified Financial Planner designation and then started a second career in personal financial planning that would enable him to help clients achieve success in their financial life.Rays practice was a Fee-Only business. He provided comprehensive personal financial planning advice on an hourly or set fee basis. Ray was a financial planner 2002 through 2008; at which time he sold his business. Ray is a registered member of the National Association of Personal Financial Planners (NAPFA), which is the most selective national association of FEE-ONLY financial planners. He was also a member of the Financial Planning Association, a national association of personal financial advisors. Ray specialized in educating and empowering his clients to define and reach their financial goals. Ray has been quoted in Kiplingers Personal Finance, Worth, Financial Advisor, The Christian Science Monitor, and Financial Planning magazines. . Ray is a graduate of Wake Forest University with a BA in Economics. He has graduated from several banking schools. He earned the Financial Planning Certificate from Virginia Commonwealth University. He received his Certified Financial Planner designation in 2002. He currently is Chairman of the Finance Committee for the Tarrington Homeowners Association. He is a member of the Finance Committee at Salisbury Pres. Church. Ray also volunteers at The First Tee of Richmond and Chesterfield.  Ray is past Chairman of the Board and Treasurer and Director of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Richmond, Inc.

 Prefer to mentor EXISTING RETAIL STORES ONLY! Startups will be considered once they have a completed business plan. 

Have worked for RMSA, Retail Solutions, LLC, since 1980. Have worked with retailers in nearly every industry segment. I specialize in helping retailers improve profitability through better inventory control. Faster turnover, increased margin, strengthened cash flow, sales increases, and expense control are my main objectives. 1969-1979, worked in a family-owned department store chain in the Midwest. My responsibilities ranged from mens buyer to general merchandise manager in charge of womens, mens, childrens, furniture, cosmetics, accessories, gifts, housewares, shoes, lingerie, domestics and furniture.

Julie Brander is a recognized and highly regarded business expert and advocate for entrepreneurial business. Has her MBA and is an Adjunct Professor of Business with 20 years of entrepreneurial business experience. A dynamic and highly motivating speaker, Branders common sense approach has helped thousands of businesses in the area of growth and development on many levels. She understands how to help people stand out and how to leave a lasting impression. Her mission is to empower business owners through networking skills, relationship marketing and how to get what you want in order to grow your business. Founder and owner of a few businesses. Manufacturing, retail, non profit has her real eastate license and her MBA. Became a SCORE-Counselors to Americas Small Business, business counselor in 1997, was chairperson and facilitates all the business workshops. Organized a Successful Woman in Business Conference with an attendance of over 300 women in 1998. Was a guest on the CNBC show “The Big Idea with Donny Deutsche” as a business expert a number of times. Writes a weekly Business Blog, has been featured on webinars on business topics “How to Recession Proof your Business” “How to Really Start a Business” has written business articles that were published in the Business section of the local newspaper. Brander has been recognized with numerous awards from the SBA as the Women’s Business Advocate of the Year in 1998, was recognized with the Rising Star award for business leaders by Business New Haven in 2008. Julie can address relevant issues in business and offer powerful, practical guidance that is applicable immediately with the goal of how to effectively run a business in today’s tough economy. Topics include How to Market yourself on a low to no budget, How to Write an Effective Business Plan, Money Saving Tips on how to recession proof your business” to name a few.

42 years in business. Expertise in Sales, Marketing, General Management and Strategic Planning     

Spent last 22 years as CEO of 5 companies doing turnarounds. Business Markets include Pharmaceutical, Nutritional, Consumer Products, Home and School Supplies, Paper Products, Entertainment Products. 

COMPANIES -Dart Distributing, CEO -Manco Products, CEO -Le Page's Inc, CEO -National Patent.Medical, CEO -Graham Medical Products, General Manager

Developing Markets for a Consulting Engineering firm. Municipal operations and maintenance basically in waste water treatment facilities and systems in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Texas. Provided contract plant operations and administration in these States. Registered as a Professional Engineer in Wisconsin, Texas and Minnesota