Job Category	Science and Engineering
Employee	Ray Executive Director WINDSOR BORDER INITIATIVES IMPLEMENTATION GROUP (BIIG)
Ministry	Ministry of Transportation
Region	Central
City	Toronto

Before I joined the OPS, I … studied at the University of Ottawa in Civil Engineering. I spent my summers gaining relevant experience by working for the City of North Bay in the Engineering Department.

I began my career in… the OPS in 1978 at then MTC in its Engineering Development Program. I was lucky enough to experience a broad variety of the ministry’s operations’ area during that two-year rotation. I then worked in many different areas over the next 25 or so years in Engineering, Construction and Maintenance, in the field and in policy development. In 2004, I became the Ministry’s Chief Engineer where I was able to utilize the broad experience I had gained to that point in my career.

And now I am … leading the Canadian half of a joint Canada/US team charged with locating a new river crossing for the Windsor/Detroit Gateway, the busiest land border crossing in the world.

A day in my shoes… is spent much with a team of about 40 people, providing strategic direction in areas such as Environmental Assessment Planning, governance of a new crossing and the detailed engineering and construction of many associated projects. It is my primary focus to ensure that all relevant stakeholders within government and in the private sector are engaged in our work so that we can meet the stated deadline of opening a new bridge in 2013.

I have chosen to work for the public service because… of the value and the role of government in providing transportation for Ontarians. I also wanted to be part of a large organization so that I could experience many different careers with one employer. I have not been disappointed.

The thing that has surprised me the most about working for the OPS is… how bright and progressive the people I work with are. People are committed to serving Ontarians and work very hard to meet that commitment.

Outside of work, my most memorable achievement is/was... being involved in the community. While there are always formal training opportunities within the OPS, I have found my volunteering efforts have provided me with much more than I ever gave, in terms of self-awareness, relationship building, political acuity, strategic thinking and just being part of the community. Work is important but it isn’t everything. All aspects of your daily life make-up who you are, and aspects benefit from a diversity of involvement.