Welcoming Ray Moya – ASA’s President, 2024-2025
ASA would like to welcome and thank Ray Moya as he takes on the mantle of ASA president.
As he mentioned in his letter in this month’s issue of The Contractor’s Compass, he became ASA’s president by baby steps. People recognize talent, passion, and ability. We’re honored that Ray has grown within ASA, and that we’ve been the recipient of his efforts.
Ray has been an equal owner in Prime Electric, since its inception in 1998. Prior to that Ray worked as a Project Manager and Estimator for Hughes Electric and Modern Electric from 1980 thru 1998. Having worked for three successful electrical contractors for his entire career (since 1980) Ray has a vast array of experiences and duties from both an employer’s perspective as well as that of a business owner. Ray attended the University of New Mexico with a major in Architecture and Planning. Ray has been a member of ASA since 2000, served on the Board of Directors for ASA New Mexico for six years, was Secretary, Vice President and President for the local chapter. In 2017 Ray accepted a position to serve on the ASA National Board of Directors.
Want to know a little more about Ray? Read on.
What inspired you and your partner to start Prime Electric?
We started Prime Electric in 1998 when the owner of the company we all worked for retired and wanted to help us start our own company. At that time there were four equal business partners and I was the youngest of the group. Since 2013 it has just been and W.T. Claunch, my business partner and me. The other partners have retired.
How did you come up with the name? Being that there were four of us at the beginning, we tried using the name Four Star Electric, but it was too close to the name of another company. Not sure about the “Prime” name, other than it meant high quality. The logo represents the four owners.
Who do you credit with inspiring you the most? The one(s) you could/can lean on? My father was a general foreman for about 25 years, for an electrical contractor that I started my career with. I was never in the trade as a wireman, but worked as a laborer for this electrical company during my summers when I was in college. Upon graduation I was asked by the owner to go to work for him as an estimator. Eventually I worked into a project management role. So to answer your question, I would have to say that my dad, my first boss (Edgar Jones) and the boss I had that helped us get Prime Electric started (Dave Hughes) are who I owe my career to. I learned a lot about the electrical business from them.
What’s your primary goal as president of ASA? I want to do all I can to make ASA grow in terms of strength and service to our members. I do not think that enough of our members realize what ASA National has to offer and I want that message to get out to them and to utilize the tools available to them. It is tough to sometimes teach old dogs new tricks.
What made you decide to go from involvement in chapter level activities to national level involvement? I attended my first SUBExcel in Miami in 2016. I drank the Kool Aid and was hooked. I saw the value of the convention and the benefits that ASA had to offer. I developed friendships with other ASA members throughout the country and could go to them whenever I had questions about subcontracting issues. These friendships have grown over the years. The following year when I was asked to participate on the National Board of Directors, I accepted with some hesitation. That hesitation was because I wasn’t sure of the time commitment and I was also a bit intimidated. Once I became involved, those “fears” were soon gone.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your involvement with ASA? I have learned that we are not the only company that has struggles in our everyday businesses. Other subs encounter the same issues and that is why the networking and friendships built over time is so important. We all help each other out and we can rely on each other for advice and fresh ideas. I also have a better understanding of the other trades we work side by side with.
What advice would you give to those just starting their careers in construction as subcontractors? The road can be tough at times. You can feel discouraged by the issues you face. BUT, the rewards can be great. The sense of accomplishment is awesome. Be careful with who you do business with. Make sure you have your ducks in a row. When you find good partners to do business with, stick with them. This business is about relationships. Build bridges and be diplomatic whenever possible.Persevere!
Are there other groups you volunteer for? I am an active member of our church in Santa Fe, in several ministries and I also chair our Building and Grounds Committee at church, and have been a member of that committee since 1990. I am somewhat active in my high school’s Alumni Association. My most rewarding volunteer work was coaching basketball at the elementary school and junior high girls levels, for 18 years, but I have since retired from doing that. I do miss it, but it was time to pass the torch on to younger coaches.
What’s the one physical tool you take with you everywhere (or would if you could)? I have my phone with me most everywhere I go. But that is not always a good thing as sometimes I enjoy the peace and quiet without it. I do however always wear a chain on my neck that has a cross representing my faith in God, a small heart that represents the love of/for my family and a medal that reads “For I am with you, and no one is going to harm you”, again representing my faith.
