Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs / Chief Business Officer

The Texas A&M University System

As Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs, Phillip Ray is responsible for all real estate development projects involving a public-private partnership (P3), negotiation of operational efficiencies opportunities, facilities planning and construction, financial accounting and reporting oversight, direction of tax and fiscal activities, financial functions related to the legislative appropriations process, annual operating budget process, Historically Underutilized Business initiatives and aircraft operations.

Ray earned a B.S. from Texas A&M University-Commerce in 1987 and an MBA from Southern Methodist University in 1991. He went on to study at the Institute for Management and Leadership in Education at Harvard University in 2004, the Executive Leadership and Management Institute at Stanford University in 2006, and the Governor’s Executive Development Program through the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas in 2008.

Ray started his career as a financial analyst in program management at E-Systems-Raytheon from 1982-1993. From 1993-1999, he served as director of procurement & contracts at A&M-Commerce before moving to Katy Independent School District to take the same position. Ray served Texas Tech University as assistant vice president for business affairs and contracts before moving to Texas A&M University to fill a position as assistant athletic director in 2006. Ray continued his work with Texas A&M by moving to associate vice president for finance & university contracts officer in 2008. In 2012, he became the chief business development officer at the A&M System and currently serves as Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs.

During his time as Vice Chancellor, Ray has overseen approximately $6 billion in construction, negotiated $2 billion in P3 projects and generated in excess of $1.5 billion via new revenue streams, operational efficiencies, and cost avoidance initiatives on behalf of the A&M System.

Ray was named a 2017 Distinguished Alumnus at A&M-Commerce.