Having visited the Club and Units of Yaarab Shrine many times, seeking the office of Treasurer, Ray Skiles won the office of Treasurer after two ballots during the annual business meeting and election, Saturday, January 14, 2006.
Past Potentate Stratton "Z" Zelack spoke highly of Ray Skiles during his nomination speech and emphasized his leadership abilities, as well as, being a close personal friend for many years. "Z" praised Ray for his outstanding personal reputation, and that combined with his leadership, should prove to be a tremendous asset for Yaarab Shrine.
Ray was born, August 25, 1945, in Fall River, Massachusetts. He served in the Army Combat Engineers as an NCO, and after OCS graduation, he became a commissioned officer in the Army's Fifth Special Forces Group, Abn. He is a member of American Legion Post No. 233 in Loganville, and is a member of the Society of Forty & Eight, Voiture #499.
After Ray completed his military service, he was employed by a major fire protection contracting firm. He attended extension classes in engineering at both Rhode Island School of Design and Roger Williams College. He has worked in the fire protection field for over thirty years. Some of his duties involved system design, contracting, and general management. His projects sent him all across the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Virgin Islands, Taiwan, and the Phillippine Islands. He presently owns and operates Southeast Inspections, Inc., a firm which conducts state mandated inspections and testing of fire sprinkler systems and fire pumps. During 1999 and 2000, Ray served as president of the Georgia Fire Sprinkler Association. During 1982, he also served as local Chapter President of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers.
Ray has proved himself to be a skilled sailor, having navigated waters off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, as well as, local lakes. He is also a qualified skydiving instructor andjumpmaster. He has logged over nineteen hundred parachute jumps.
Ray was raised a Master Mason in Glenwood Hills Lodge No. 703 on July 9, 1999, and was elected to the office of Junior Warden that same year. He served as Master of the Lodge in 2002. Since 2003, Ray has served as Secretary of Glenwood Hills Lodge, as well as. Director of Work. In October 1999, he became a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, of which he actively performs in the 14th and 22nd degree work. He also belongs to the East Side Scottish Rite Association. Ray is also a York Rite Mason, holding membership in St. Bernard Commandery, No. 25, Covington Council No. 41, and Covington Chapter No. 71.
Having followed in the footsteps of his father-in-law, the late Langley C. Roberts, Ray became a Noble of the Mystic Shrine in December 1999 when he joined Yaarab Shrine, and has been a Thousandaire every year. He has achieved Executive Aide status by collecting in excess of $5,000.00 each year for the last four years. He has served several Potentates as a Personal Aide.
Upon joining Yaarab Shrine, he initially joined the Director's Staff. However, it was through his love for motorcycles, that he purchased a Shrine Model, Harley-Davidson motorcycle and transferred to the Potentate's Escort Unit. Having served the Escort Unit as a 2nd Lieutenant for three years. Ray was elected 1st Lieutenant for the year 2006. He is co-founder of, and serves as Master of the Potentates' Escort Degree Team. This team confers, by invitation, the E.A. degree in Blue Lodges. Ray was designated "Mason of the Year" in 2002 and "Shriner of the Year" in 2004 by the Potentate's Escort Unit.
For the last three years, Ray has served as Ride Director for the Yaarab Hospital Ride (Ride for Kids), which helps raise money for our hospitals. Ray also developed and assisted in the building of the Yaarab Escort Express. This miniature train is used to raise money at the Circus, as well as, Club, Unit, and Hospital Fund raisers.
Ray is also a member of the Knights of Mecca. He actively performs during conferral and dramatization of the Masters Degree in Blue Lodges and during the staging of the Shrine Rituals at Ceremonials. He plays the role of High Priest & Prophet, as well as, delivers the Inspired Charge. He is a member of the Loganville Shrine Club, serves as an officer in both the Atlanta Court No. 91, Royal Order of Jesters, and Teocalli-Aztecatlanta No. 1997, Order of Quetzalcoati, and is Secretary for the SEQA.
Ray and his lady Jackie live in Loganville. They have been married for twenty-seven years. They have four children, six grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.
Having read this article, one can easily see that Ray Skiles has not only leadership qualifications, but is a person the Nobility ofYaarab Shrine can depend on to run any office in a positive and successful manner.
Congratulations, Ray, and we wish you the best serving your future years on Yaarab's Divan.
