HERNANDEZ, Ray - Director and Vice President (2012-2014)

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PalmTalk Username: SubTropicRay (formerly Ray Tampa)

Ray Hernandez is a native Floridian, born and raised in Tampa, Florida. In 1993, he received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Florida. Today, he is a Senior Project Engineer for an Aerospace company that develops and builds rocket, missile and satellite components. While his work is drastically different from his hobby, he has taken advantage of business trips to South America, Australia and Asia to see various palm species in their native habitat.

Ray first took an avid interest in palms upon seeing Thomas Edison’s Royal Palms in Ft. Myers, Florida. 25 years later, he grows over 300 species of palms in 120 genera and his passion for palms is stronger than ever. Ray has served on the IPS board since 2006 and was President of the Central Florida Palm and Cycad Society. As a CFPACS board member, he penned many cultivation articles for the Palmateer quarterly. Ray is looking forward to serving the IPS for another successful term.