Raymond N. Strickland, Jr. was born in 1957 to
a working class family in Coral Gables, Florida. As the grandson of
Irish and Spanish immigrants, Ray was taught the value of a strong
work ethic and a deep respect for America's ideal of equal
opportunity. He attended Coral Gables High School, Abraham Baldwin
Agriculture College, and is a graduate of Troy State University.
Eagle Scout
Even though Ray lived in the city, he spent
most of his weekends in the Everglades or other wilderness areas as
a Boy Scout. He learned the value of protecting and respecting the
environment, and attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Less than 1% of
all Boy Scouts attain the rank of Eagle Scout.
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Veteran
After joining the United States Army, as an
Infantryman Private, Ray rose quickly through the ranks, becoming an
Instructor at the Advanced Infantry School, Ft Benning, GA and
finally the Army Advisor to the Georgia National Guard round-out
brigade for Fort Stewart, GA. at age 28. Ray attained the Expert
Infantrymen’s Badge, Expert Marksman Badge, Army Commendation Medal,
Meritorious Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal and while
stationed in Europe was awarded the Sgt. Morales Award. This award
honors the top 1% of non-commissioned officers in Europe. After 10
years of service to the country, Ray resigned and wanted to return
to Florida selecting Ocala, Florida as the best place to raise a
family and start a business.
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Business Owner
After moving to Ocala in 1986, Ray became a
life insurance salesman with J.B Fontaine & Associates, who still
works with one of Ray’s, companies, Benefit Advisors. Within a year
Ray moved to the Chazal-Blair Insurance Agency, a well-established
property & casualty firm and in 1995 became a partner of the Lossing
Strickland Insurance Group. In 2005 Benefit Advisors was formed as
an Employee Benefits Service Corporation working with other
insurance agents and financial professionals around the State of
Florida with offices in Belleview, Jacksonville, Ocala, Inverness,
and Gainesville. Benefit Advisors is in the top 1% of firms with
Blue Cross Blue Shield and United Healthcare of Florida and has
gross sales of $30,000,000 annually. For more information visit
www.benefit-advisors.com.
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Community Leader
Ray graduated from the charter class of
Leadership Ocala Class I, at age 30, the minimum age requirement to
attend the course. Served on the first Leadership Ocala Alumni Board
of Directors and graduated from the charter class of Advanced
Leadership.
Ray has been an active member Ocala/Marion
County Chamber of Commerce since 1986, holding many positions from
1887 Legacy Trustee, Board of Directors and Fish Fry clean-up team,
working to increase commerce and create jobs in Marion County. For
information visit
http://www.ocalacc.com. Ray has been an active member and past
board member of the EDC (Economic Development Corporation) providing
the primary economic development initiatives for Ocala and Marion
County. For more information visit
http://www.ocalaedc.org.
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Servant Leader
The Kiwanis Club of Ocala has been a joyful
part of Ray’s charitable organizations, serving the needs of the
children of Marion County. From Board Member to Key Club Advisor,
and happy buck boy, Ray has enjoyed the fellowship of some of Marion
County’s best men and women. For more information about Camp Kiwanis
visit
http://www.marion.k12.fl.us/district/srm/kiwanis.
Ray has held almost every position as a
volunteer for the United Way of Marion County, from Ambassador,
Loaned Executive, Allocation Committee, and his Company Benefit
Advisors and employees have maintained the highest giving level. For
more information visit
http://www.uwmc.org.
Ray was one of the first to participate in the
United Healthcare Children’s Foundation, which helps local families
pay the costs associated with medical services for their children.
Eligible families must already have health insurance, and the
Foundation covers costs beyond their coverage, such as speech
therapy, physical therapy, and orthodontia and dental treatments for
a child in the family. For more information visit
www.uhccf.com.
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