Mr. Fernandez retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Air Force after 24 years of service. He is currently the Assistant to the Director, Military and Veteran Affairs Department for the City of San Antonio. In this capacity, he assists the Military & Veteran Affairs Director in serving as the liaison between the military and City of San Antonio to facilitate a close working relationship. He works closely with military and civilian partners to ensure military missions and installations continue to thrive and grow in the region.
Prior to his retirement, Ray primarily served as a Space and Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Operations Officer. He has served in multiple Space Operations assignments (missile warning, command and control, space launch), several staff officer assignments, the Joint Staff, commanded an Air Force recruiting squadron, and deployed twice, most recently to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan where he served as the Expeditionary Mission Support Group Deputy Commander. His final assignment was the Air Force Recruiting Service Inspector General responsible for compliance and effectiveness inspections and complaints resolution. Ray received his commission as a 1995 Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) graduate of Detachment 910, University of Washington.