Raymond Ross

Background

About Raymond Ross

My background is in business. I began by working for my family business a small candy manufacturing company. This included a wide range of tasks from packaging to the making of our primary product, peanut brittle. I eventually took on management duties and continued until I left for University. After University I found myself back with the family business. My role increased gradually, and eventually I took over the family business when my parents left to pursue other interests. The business grew as we expanded nationally. We went from manufacturing, packaging and distributing about 1800 lbs of candy weekly, to lbs of candy a week. Unfortunately our main account, a major retailor, decided to close their doors, leaving myself with some tough decisions. Ultimately the company was sold and I moved into another career path, heavy construction. Since making the move to construction, I have worked up through the ranks from a labor position to site superintendent. I found a passion for this industry, that has certainly helped propel me into ever expanding roles. I now oversee large infrastructure projects including watermain, sewers, bridges, new road construction, road widening, and highways. I do however still have an entrepreneurial spirit. Recently I have started a new food manufacturing business focussing on wholesaling to grocery retailors. This also has led to reacquiring the family candy business. For now, the goal of both companies will be small incremental growth and market feedback/research. We look to expand nationally within a year and internationally within two years. My overall philosophy, the harder you work the more opportunity gained.