Ray French Receives Momentum West’s Young Professional of the Year Award

Ray French, Regional Economic Development Director for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation has won the Young Professional of the Year Award. “Ray is an excellent example of the young talent coming out of West Central Wisconsin. He is a passionate community leader that’s making a lasting impact,” said Steve Jahn, Executive Director of Momentum West. “I am pleased to have received this award. I enjoy this work because I get to help solve problems facing our communities and bring statewide resources back to my region. No problems or solutions are the same,” said French. “We have a strong network of professionals whose goals are also to solve these problems and support those who need assistance. There’s a lot of ‘we’re in this together.’”

Through Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation, he sees what is happening locally and in the state overall. “It most often occurs to me just how similar we all are - from our wants and needs to the problems facing our communities. We don’t ask for help or advice as much as we should. But if the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that we’re not alone. And the problems facing our communities are not so unique, as well as the opportunities are not scarce.” It’s Ray’s belief that more can be achieved when working in collaboration. 

When asked what motivates him, Ray said, “In some cases my ‘why’ is to help address those things that we recognize are wrong but don’t know how to solve them. Regardless of the issue, we can creatively come up with a solution together. In other cases my ‘why’ is to create in our neighbors and friends the feeling of connection and belonging in our communities.”

As for living in the Momentum West region, he said, “It’s the most beautiful region of the state! Besides having incredible amenities and great people, this is a place that instantly feels like home - something that my wife, two girls and I appreciate.” With a love for the region, he is involved in additional organizations. “I am a member and current Treasurer of The Master Singers of Eau Claire. I am also a member of the 50 People (and more) Who Care, based in Cumberland.”

About Ray French

Ray French is the Regional Economic Development Director for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation serving seven counties in Western Wisconsin. Prior to joining WEDC, he was a Regional Associate with WiSys, the technology transfer organization serving the UW System campuses in this region, where he helped establish the first WiSys VentureHome, in partnership with UW-Eau Claire and CoLab in downtown Eau Claire. Ray previously worked with small businesses and entrepreneurs for the City of Eau Claire and Downtown Eau Claire, Inc., where he also managed the Revolving Loan Funds and the Jump-Start Business Competition. He got his first experience in economic development with the City of River Falls as a Management Analyst. In River Falls he supported the development of the St. Croix Valley Business Innovation Center and established the foundation of the Kinni Corridor Planning Process. Ray also spent 5 years on the Board and 2 years as President of the Chippewa Valley Innovation Center, a manufacturing incubator. He is also Treasurer for The Master Singers of Eau Claire. Ray met his wife, who hails from Cumberland in Barron County, while they attended UW-Eau Claire. Ray received a Juris Doctor in 2012 and Master of Public Administration in 2013 from Hamline University in St. Paul and earned his Economic Development Finance Professional certification in 2018. 

About Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation

WEDC is the statewide economic development organization whose mission is to strategically deploy financial resources and technical assistance to invest in Wisconsin and achieve program goals. Those goals include helping businesses grow, innovate, export and remain competitive, supporting communities to become attractive places to live and work, enhancing entrepreneurs’ ability to grow their ideas into thriving businesses, and proactively serve underserved communities. 

https://wedc.org/