Tyson Ray
Badger High School Graduate – 1993
After graduating from Badger High School with honors in 1993, Tyson Ray began a long and impactful career as a financial advisor and philanthropist. Ray entered the honors program at the University of West Florida and graduated in 1997 with a degree in Interdisciplinary Social Sciences and Business. While there he was elected as the National Undergraduate Chairman of the State of Florida for Kappa Alpha Fraternity. He was twice elected as president of the University’s student government association. While in college, he also worked as a lieutenant of the dive team of the Escambia County Search and Rescue. In 2012, he was named a University of West Florida Outstanding Young Alumnus.
After college, Tyson Ray began a successful career as a financial advisor where his area of expertise is in advising those who are transitioning into retirement. He became the youngest branch manager ever at the 5th largest financial firm in the United States, A.G. Edwards. In his first two years he received the Albert Gallatin Award as a top financial advisor. He found and facilitated the opening of the Elkhorn branch of A.G. Edwards, achieved President Council Level as an advisor, and began presenting motivational sessions with A.G Edwards from the home office in New York. He went on to become a vice president of A.G. Edwards. In 2005, he established the FORM Wealth Management Group. He was twice named Barron’s “Top 1000 Advisors in USA,” named Milwaukee 2010 FIVE STAR Wealth Manager, awarded the “Shared Success Award” from Wells Fargo for community service, and volunteered his time to teach and mentor over 200 Wells Fargo financial advisors. In 2014, he was named one of the Top 50 Financial Advisors under the age of 40 in the U.S. by Registered REP Magazine.
Mr. Ray has translated his remarkable success into numerous charitable activities, including founding the Ray Foundation which has donated funds for the adoption of inner city Chicago orphans, funded humanitarian work in a handicapped orphanage in Turkey, and raised $100,000 for the Agape House for teenage girls. In addition, his foundation has funded medical care for 100 orphans at the House of Hope in Haiti and continued their medical care. He has organized hundreds of volunteers to provide thousands of meals. In 2011 the Ray Foundation became the Children’s World Impact, raising funds to build a school in Haiti, helping to build playgrounds, and training teachers. Kids Around the World estimated that Tyson Ray and his wife’s efforts have impacted in excess of 321,000 children in Haiti. Ray has twice led medical teams to a Haitian hospital, raising medical and pharmaceutical supply funds. In 2012, he completed his first book, Your World Impact as a Financial Advisor and donated the proceeds to Children’s World Impact. In 2014, he was awarded the Invest in Others Global Community Impact Award bringing him national recognition for philanthropic excellence. Since starting the nonprofit in 2007, Tyson Ray has raised over one million dollars for Children’s World Impact, while personally covering all operating expenses himself. Clearly, Tyson has made a significant positive impact on the world since his graduation from Badger High School, and we are proud to claim him as an alumnus from BHS.
Inducted, April 2015