Ray Pearson

Ray is a second generation American with his Mother’s family from Greece and Turkey with a Sephardic Jewish background. His father and mother divorced at two years of age. Born in LA and raised by a single parent and ½ sister until he was 4 when Mother remarried. He passed when Ray was 11 and raised by a single Mom. Ray lived in many parts of Southern California, experiencing multi ethnic communities and public schools in Monterey Park, Inglewood, Huntington Park. where he graduated from HS in the top 10% of the nation. and really fulfilled his passion to serve the community and improve the lives of young people.

In high school and college Ray was active in the community with the YMCA as a high school director, student coach, referee, swim teacher, lifeguard and surfing instructor. In high school, he was Editor of the school newspaper. Loved sports but wasn’t fast enough or big enough to excel in football or basketball settled in swimming . Been coming to North County San Diego since 1970 surfing which he still does today. Attended Cal State University LA and graduated with a BS in Recreation Administration. While in college he worked full-time with high risk mostly Hispanic gangs in Southeast LA County and San Gabriel Valley. Had the opportunity to do a TV program on gang and drug abuse prevention.

Ray obtained his Bachelor of Science from California State University of Los Angeles, first in his family to graduate from college. He has over 42 years of experience in telecommunications and technology. Working for Westinghouse Broadcasting and Cable TV, Walt Disney Company, The Weather Channel Jewelry Television, Interlink Technologies and Western Digital. Traveling all over the United States, Europe, Asia, Mexico and Canada. He Co-authored - “Cable TV: Optometry On the Air,” which appeared in the February 1983 edition; Optometric Management. An article, pre internet that predicted interactivity with health professionals. Ray produced a series of Cambodian TV cultural programs that appeared in Long Beach California with artists from throughout California. Ushering in increased Asian TV programming.

Ray and his wife Karen live in Carlsbad, California and have three grown children with two grandchildren. He has served on the Carlsbad Unified School District Board of Trustees for 10 years. Ray has served the City of Carlsbad on several commissions and committees. He has held Board of Directors positions with several non profit organizations that impact kids, Carlsbad Charitable Foundation, Rotary Foundation, North Coastal Prevention Coalition, Carlsbad Fire Department Foundation and advisor to the Mitchell Thorp Foundation.