Owner Bio
Biography on Michael Ray, Owner of Carl Ray Nursery, Inc.
Mike is a 4th generation landscape nurseryman with a lifetime of focused knowledge that began when he started working in the family-owned business at age 14 as a laborer on landscape and farm crews. For the past 20 years, he has maintained regular attendance in short courses and education seminars for green industry. Mike continues to care for 80 acres of large nursery specimen plants. Mike also maintains an active membership in the Louisville Nursery Association, the Kentucky Nursery and Landscape Association, the Southern Nursery Association and the American Nursery and Landscape Association.
- 1975 - 1976: Attended Ohio State University.
- 1976 - 1978: Returned to family business to run outside operations.
- 1978 - 1980: Commercial Accounts Manager of Lawn Aid, Inc. Maintained 200 commercial accounts in Louisville metro area. Performed duties such as mowing, spraying, fertilizing and general landscape maintenance. Promoted to General Manager.
- 1981 - 1983: Returned to Carl Ray Nursery to run outside and large tree moving operations
- 1983 - 1985: Ran family business for Trust Department of Carl Ray Sr. Estate.
- 1985 - 1986: Purchased company from estate with two partners.
- 1985 - 1986: Vice president of Louisville Nursery Association.
- 1985 - 1991: Served on the Board of Directors for the Louisville Nursery Association.
- 1985 - 1995: Served on the Board of Directors for the Kentucky Nurserymen Association.
- 1986: Present Sole Owner of Carl Ray Nursery.
- 1987 - 1990: President of the Louisville Nursery Association.
- 1988 - 1989: Advisor of the Jefferson County School Horticulture Program.
- 1989: Instructor of the Adult Education Program/Jefferson County Schools.
- 1990 - 1992: Vice President of Kentucky Nurseryman's Association.
- 1990 - 1996: Served as Kentucky Nurseryman Program Chairman.
- 1991: Member of search committee for Dean of Horticulture for the University of Kentucky.
- 1992 - 1994: President of the Kentucky Nurseryman Association.
- 1994: Became a lifetime alumni member of the College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky.
- 1994: Guest speaker on topic of Nursery Operations for the Agriculture Department of University of Kentucky.
- 1994: Nursery Industry representative to revise and update all tree and shrubs values with International Society of Arboriculture, Kentucky Chapter.
- 1995: Became Kentucky Certified Nurseryman.
- 1999 - 2000: 3rd term president of the Louisville Nurseryman's Association.
- 2000 - 2003: Board of Directors Louisville Nurseryman Association.
- 2001: Guest Speaker KY Turf Grass Council.
- 2001: Taught KY Certified Nurseryman short course to all Lowes personnel for State of Kentucky.
- 2004 - 2008: Shelby Co. A&M Fairboard Director.
502-266-5333 | Fax: 502-266-5032
Contact Us: info@carlraynursery.com
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday 8AM - 4PM
By Appointment Only
