At a press conference on Tuesday, Bray announced his candidacy at the 1857 Hotel.
Bray shared that he believes Paducah is at a crossroads, with the population declining 27% from 1960 to 2010. Bray says that we have become dangerously close to tipping backwards, and believes strong leadership is needed to move the city forward, which he believes he can provide.
Bray stated that he believes his leadership can accomplish these goals in the following ways:
1) By embracing economic development within the City and County that drives growth, vigorously supporting the effort to recruit new businesses, as well as supporting and incentivizing the growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs within the community.
2) Embracing and taking advantage of our transportation assets, between I24, the river industry, Rail, and air travel.
3) Utilizing the city's financial resources more wisely. Bray believes this can be accomplished by driving more collaboration between citizens and neighborhoods, energizing local boards and leading the board of commissioners towards making sound financial decisions and putting focus on the issues that matter.
West Kentucky Star spoke with Bray about his candidacy, asking him why he felt he was better suited for the job over other candidates in the race, to which Bray replied saying, "It's experiences I've had in life. Working with people, working with small and large groups of people, understanding how humans react, how they're motivated."
Bray continued, "I have 42 years of that, a proven track record of success."
When speaking on his political philosophy, Bray told West Kentucky Star that he is a registered Republican that identifies himself as fiscally conservative, and socially liberal.
Bray received a degree in Marketing and Business Management from Indiana University Kelly School of Business, later becoming a certified executive coach, and assisted others in managing personal growth, development, and careers.
A short time later Bray earned his Master's degree in Business Administration from Ohio State University and went on to a career in pharmaceutical distribution where he spent 42 years with the same company - Amerisource Bergen.
Since 2016 Bray has served as the Vice President of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers, traveling the globe representing the industry.
Bray has spent most of his life volunteering his time, serving on the Board of directors of the Ohio Boys & Girls Club, serving as a past executive VP of Resource and Development Board of Governors with the Salesion Boys & Girls Club, serving on the board of directors and an advisor for the Oscar Cross Boys & Girls Club, serving on the board of directors with the Paducah Area Community Reuse Organization, and Chairman of the Board of Directors with the Barkley Regional Airport Authority.
