Raymond G. Ellis

Since 2005, Ray Ellis has focused his energies on community and public service. Ray currently serves on several Boards in San Diego, CA. These include: The Parker Foundation, Neighborhood House Association (Board Member), Regional Task Force on the Homeless and the Del Mar Mesa Community Planning Board. Ray is also a member of the EDC – Strategic Roundtable, and San Diego Grantmakers’ Finance Committee. Some of Ray’s previous experience includes: Equinox Center (Board Chair), Lux Art Institute (Board Member, Treasurer), Balboa Park Conservancy (Board Member, Executive Committee), San Diego Workforce Partnership – Workforce Investment Board (Board Member), San Diego City Employees’ Retirement System (President), Balboa Park Task Force (Member), Second Chance (Board Chair), San Diego Social Venture Partners (Board Chair) and Voices for Children (Board Member)

In addition to these volunteer activities, Ray is the Principal of Ellis & Associates, LLC, an investment firm. Ray also manages the activities of the Ellis Family Foundation, which is a private foundation funding other non-profit organizations.

Prior to his current activities, Ray was the President of the Marketing Services Division of Protocol Communications, Inc. As part of the executive management team of Protocol, Ray was responsible for all activities within his Division and participated in key strategic, integration, financial and management decisions for this privately held $260 Million marketing services enterprise.

Prior to joining Protocol through an acquisition of Ray’s firm in June 2001, he was the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of MC Direct. After founding MC Direct in 1987, Ray and his team grew the firm to become one of the largest full-service direct response advertising agencies on the West Coast. Major clients included: Intuit, Microsoft, Cisco, The Smithsonian, Bank of America, Farmers Insurance, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, American Express and many others. Ray has extensive experience in a wide range of direct response programs, with an emphasis on direct mail and interactive programs.

Ray received his BA in History from Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia and his MBA from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. Ray and his wife Gina live in the Carmel Valley area of San Diego with their 15 year old Jake. His son Matt and daughter-in-law Alaina live and work in San Diego. His daughter, Jessica is a Case Manager and Supervisor for a non-profit working with adults with disabilities in San Diego.