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Ray prides himself on finding solutions and building longstanding relationships. Ray grew up in a small New England town in Connecticut primarily rooted in blue-collar work ethics focused on family and relationships. Ray put his focus and determination to work along with his passion for basketball reaching the 1,000 point plateau in just two years and becoming an All State player his senior year in high-school. Ray went on as a freshman to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore MD where he still holds several of the freshman scoring records today. Having received a scholarship and having a chance to be closer to home Ray finished his b-ball career at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield CT, “it was the right thing to do for me”. Today the foundation bearing his family name, gives back to his boyhood hometown; with a mission of helping children in need, (discover more by visiting Zukowskifamilyfoundation.org)

In sports one hears of “Player-Coach”; Ray was more like a “Player GM.” Prior to joining Ennoble Venture Partners Ray was the Senior Vice President of Customer Experience for N.E.W. Customer Service Companies, Inc. in Sterling, Virginia. He led the company in building a world class customer experience team; growing from 1 technical solution center with 400 associates to more than 10 solution centers with 6,500 associates. Under his leadership and guidance N.E.W. achieved and received the prestigious J.D. Power and Associates award for four consecutive years.

Ray was presented the John F. Welch Leadership award in 2012, and serves on the visitor’s board for The Welch College of Business at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield CT. Ray has also served as the Chairperson for The Living Legacy Foundation, and was Honorary Chairman for Special Olympics including a seat at the world games held in Shanghai in 2007
Ray currently lives in Florida, with his wife Cheryl.

Ray’s prior experience includes:
G.E. (GM)
APAC (SVP Operations)
iSky (COO)
NEW (SVP of Operations)
Ennoble Venture Partners (Founder)

I have held several positions before entering into my full time career as “Domestic Engineer” for the Zukowski Family, which included oversight for our family foundation. (The Zukowski Family Foundation)

I have spent the past 20 plus years raising our two beautiful children R.J. and Carissa. I have tended to all the family needs including several pets, Ray’s career, education, volunteering, and moving our family to 8 different states.

We started our Family Foundation in 2008 where I have been serving as the treasurer.

I have also volunteered and held the treasurer position, for FISH, an outreach organization for the homeless, and those in need of food, shelter and other financial needs in the greater Baltimore area.

RJ is currently an Internal Wholesaler with Starwood Capital, working out of their Arlington, VA office. He graduated with honors from St. Mary’s College of Maryland with a Bachelor’s in Economics in 2014.

His work history includes experience in Management Consulting and as a Financial Advisor. RJ is happy to connect with any applicants or current scholarship recipients, send him a message on LinkedIn.

George Reed says that family, faith and community are his cornerstones. His lovely family includes wife Debbie, two daughters Natalie and Kelly and two granddaughters Bella and Julianna.

George is now retired after 40 years of electrical distribution sales. He spends his time volunteering for local charities and it keeps his days full. Here are a few of the charities George is involved with:

Volunteer: Hole in the Wall Camp in Ashford, CT
Volunteer: CFC Soup Kitchen in Bristol, CT
Member: Central Connecticut Chapter of National Federation of the Blind
Committee Member: Charity Cycling Challenge event in Bristol, CT *I gather a team to ride for the Zukowski Foundation
Member: Central Connecticut Chapter of National Federation of the Blind

George also enjoys cycling, and spending time with his family and friends.

ZFF Board Member and Retired Professor Awarded Professor Emeritus Status

Baltimore, Md. – Joseph R. Proulx, EdD, RN, has been appointed professor emeritus by University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) President Jay A. Perman, MD. Proulx served as a faculty member at the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) for 44 years, 37 at the rank of full professor with tenure. He retired in December 2015.

A professor emeritus is a retired faculty member who has demonstrated an exemplary record of service to the School and to the profession. The faculty member must also express a desire to continue to support the School’s mission.

“After working for the School of Nursing for over 40 years, I never expected such an honor. To say I was shocked is an understatement. I appreciate Dean Kirschling and all others who made this honor possible,” Proulx said. “There is an old saying from an educator: ‘By your students you shall be taught,’ and indeed, I have learned a lot. I will always treasure the fond memories of my classroom interactions with all of the wonderful students who have crossed my path.”

During his tenure at UMSON, Proulx developed and taught graduate core courses for the Health Services Leadership and Management master’s program. He served on the Committee on Appointments, Promotions, and Tenure; Graduate Admissions Committee; Graduate Curriculum Committee; Master’s Program Committee; Specialty Coordinators Committee; and Faculty Council. He was instrumental in designing and implementing the dual-degree offerings for the MS/MBA and the former PhD/MBA from UMSON and the University of Baltimore’s Merrick School of Business, serving as a co-principal. Proulx was also a member of the UMB planning group for an interdisciplinary course on conflict management offered by UMSON and the schools of Medicine, Law, and Social Work.

“We congratulate Dr. Proulx on this well-deserved honor. Throughout his career at the School of Nursing, he gave generously of his time through teaching, mentoring students, and service to the School and University,” said UMSON Dean Jane M. Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN. “We are very fortunate that Dr. Proulx chose to share his 44-year career with us and that he also shared his considerable expertise with such a wide array of community programs, educational institutions, and professional organizations. It is no surprise that he continues to be much loved by his former students and mentees and highly esteemed by his faculty colleagues.”

Regionally, Proulx has shared his expertise as a consultant to other nursing programs, including those at the Veterans Administration Medical Center, MedStar Montgomery Medical Center, the Maryland Institute of Emergency Medical Services Systems, George Mason University, Salisbury University, Georgetown University, and the University of Southeastern Louisiana. He also received the Award for Distinguished Achievement in Nursing Service from Columbia University’s Nursing Education Alumni Association of the Teachers College in 1985, and in 1989, he was named an Honorable Mention for the Outstanding Educator Award from the Maryland Association for Higher Education.

Since his retirement, Proulx continues to lecture at UMSON, teaching one class per semester as needed.

I am a Vice President with Fulton Financial Advisors and have been working proudly working with the Zukowski Family for the past 15 yrs. I have had the honor of working closely with the foundation since it inception. The underlying beliefs and goals of the Zukowski Family Foundation make it a privilege to work with such a dedicated board. Now that I am a father it just instilled more of a sense of giving especially to children who are in need of help. I am married to Julia and we have a 7 year old son named Alexander. We reside currently in Sykesville, Maryland.