Meet Ray

 

If you’ve spent any time around Ray, you’ve probably noticed two things right away: he’s always busy, and he’s always ready with a joke. 

 

Behind the humor is someone who genuinely cares about people and takes pride in being someone his coworkers can rely on. Ray wears more hats than most people realize. Payroll? Of course. Recruiting? Yep. Benefits? Absolutely. Leaves of absence, onboarding, invoices, and prioritizing an inbox full of urgent emails? Also, yes. He is the type of person who quietly makes things happen behind the scenes and keeps moving forward, no matter what challenges land on his desk. 

 

At the same time, Ray brings energy that makes the workplace more enjoyable. He’s quick with a funny comment, passionate about everything from baseball and travel to sharks and gummy candy, and never afraid to share an honest opinion. His mix of reliability, humor, creativity, and authenticity has made him not only a valued member of the Human Resources team but also a familiar and appreciated presence throughout the bank. 

 

Simply put, Ray is the kind of coworker every company hopes to have—someone who works hard, cares deeply, and helps make the workplace a little more fun along the way. 

 

 

 

Before joining Artisans’ Bank nearly five years ago, Ray was commuting from New Jersey to Philadelphia every day for a home healthcare agency role. The move to Delaware meant less time in traffic, a shorter drive, and a better fit overall. 

 

His current commute? 

 

Twenty minutes. 

 

Which, honestly, sounds like winning the lottery. 

 

The transition also involved moving from a seven-person team to a two-person team, a change that brought significantly more responsibility.  

 

“If something needs to be done, I have to do it,” Ray explains. “There isn’t a large team to share the responsibility; it’s just Julia and me.” 

 

Based on the stories he shared during his employee spotlight interview, it’s clear that he will get the job done. 

 

 

 

There are dedicated employees, and then there's the kind of dedication that involves “running payroll while sick with pneumonia” — while this did occur in a previous role, the thought of employees not getting paid has always been, and will always be, simply unacceptable.  

 

“You can always count on me to be here on payroll transmit days.”  

 

Ray has earned a reputation for his remarkable reliability, consistently demonstrating his commitment to being present and supportive in every situation. No matter the circumstances, whether facing inclement weather, a hectic schedule, or unforeseen challenges, Ray is the person you can always count on to show up. His steadfast dedication and dependable nature make him stand out as someone who prioritizes his commitments and values those around him. 

 

 

 

When asked what motivates him most, Ray gave one of the most relatable answers imaginable: 

 

“Not being a broke adult.” 

 

Honestly? Fair. 

 

For Ray, motivation involves more than just work; it's about having the opportunity to travel, relax, and enjoy life outside the office. Recently, he has developed a fondness for South Florida, particularly Miami and Fort Lauderdale. However, Los Angeles still holds a special place in his heart due to his love for the Dodgers and his family ties there. 

 

When not traveling, he loves nothing more than hitting the field for a thrilling game of softball, sharing laughs and competitive spirit with his longtime friends. The camaraderie and excitement of playing sports together create memories that last a lifetime! 

 

 

 

If he weren’t working in HR and payroll, Ray says he’d love to do something more creative — maybe working with custom design projects or even working at a zoo. 

 

Yes, a zoo. 

 

Because apparently the same person responsible for payroll deadlines is also deeply invested in lions, rhinos, tigers, sharks, and whether ostriches are actually faster than horses. 

 

(For the record: they are.) 

 

Ray recently uncovered a hidden talent in the kitchen—he's actually “not a bad cook.” This revelation came after he spent some time exploring various YouTube tutorials that guided him step by step through preparing several delicious meals. He started with French toast and has also learned to cook a mouthwatering steak. Each success in the kitchen has boosted his confidence and added another skill to his toolbox for a special occasion. 

 

 

 

 

Fun fact: Ray is also one of the driving forces behind the revival of the Artisans’ Bank Morale Committee, pt. 3. 

What started as an idea for an MLB-themed “Swing for Spring” jersey day eventually turned into rebuilding a larger employee engagement team after COVID. 

 

So if you’ve participated in a jeans day, spirit event, employee spotlight, or themed morale activity recently… there’s a good chance Ray had something to do with it. 

 

 

 

Everyone has a favorite candy; for Ray, it’s…seafood!?  

 

While he dislikes actual seafood, Swedish fish and gummy sharks are always a heavy favorite for Ray. 

 

His undisputed favorite is Swedish Fish, a candy he enjoys with a level of enthusiasm that can only be described as commitment. In fact, his affection for all things red fish-related has even led him to attend a Swedish Fish-themed event, proving that for Ray, Swedish Fish isn’t just a candy preference—it’s practically a lifestyle. Over the years, that appreciation has expanded beyond gummy seafood to include Albanese Gummy Bears.  

 

Only Albanese, and that is a dealbreaker.  

 

As a kid growing up on the baseball field, Ray was also a devoted fan of Big League Chew. Like countless young ball players, he spent long afternoons in the dugout with a pouch of shredded bubble gum tucked nearby, chewing away while dreaming of big hits and championship games. Even today, Big League Chew brings back memories of summer tournaments, teammates, and the sport that played such a large role in his childhood. 

 

One of the more pivotal questions posed was aimed at uncovering Ray's unique cereal personality. 

 

His answer? 

 

Cap’n Crunch Crunch Berries. 

Which honestly tracks perfectly. 

A little colorful, a little chaotic, impossible to ignore, and somehow both nostalgic and fun at the same time. The kind of cereal that doesn’t take itself too seriously — but still delivers every single time. 

 

Altogether, it paints a pretty accurate picture of Ray: hardworking, loyal, unexpectedly funny, slightly quirky, and always willing to embrace the things that bring him joy—whether that’s making sure payroll goes out on time, planning a morale event, or defending the greatness of Swedish Fish, gummy sharks, and gummy whales. 

 

 

 

At the end of the conversation, Ray shared something that perfectly sums up both his role and his personality: 

“I want to help everybody and answer all their questions as soon as I can. But it doesn’t always work that way.” 

Behind every payroll submission, benefits enrollment, onboarding packet, morale event, and last-minute report request is someone trying to keep things running smoothly for everyone else. 

 

While employees may only glimpse a fraction of the myriad responsibilities that fall under the purview of HR, Ray orchestrates an impressive array of behind-the-scenes tasks. Like a skilled acrobat, he balances and juggles various duties with agility and precision, ensuring that the team members at Artisans’ Bank have everything they need to thrive in their roles. His diligent efforts often go unnoticed, but they are the backbone of a supportive work environment, fostering a culture where every employee can succeed. 

 

Thank you, Ray, for sharing your time and story with us! 

Check back next time for our next Artisans' Bank Team Member Spotlight!  

 

 

We are here (in person and online) to be your partner and advisor wherever life takes you, your business, and your family, no matter your financial goals.  

Artisans’ Bank: Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, NMLS# 774924, Equal Opportunity Employer