Yeah, that
Ray Russell of
no place
like home
Ray believes leadership should bring people together. He knows that one of our basic needs is a place to feel safe, protected, and respected. We all long for a place where we are treated with dignity and BELONG. In a political culture that divides and degrades, Ray seeks to build and help everyone find their "HOME" in this world. Watauga County can be that place.
That's why he has always been an advocate for:
Affordable and Available Housing
Education
Families, Childcare, and Early Childhood Education
Affordable Healthcare
A Living Wage for All Workers
Fair Elections and Voting
Public Safety
Meet Ray Russell
You already know Ray Russell! He's the Ray of RaysWeather.
Ray is the founder and owner of RaysWeather.Com, a locally owned High Country institution that has served northwest North Carolina for 25 years. What began as a one-person passion project is now the most widely read media outlet in the region, relied on daily by tens of thousands of residents, schools, businesses, and emergency responders. For many people, Ray is the voice they trust to help plan their day, protect their family, and understand what’s coming next.
But RaysWeather was never just about forecasts. It was built on service, trust, and community—and those same values shape Ray’s approach to leadership.
Ray lives near Boone with his wife, Rhonda, a longtime early childhood educator. They’ve been married for 48 years and raised two daughters here, both graduates of Watauga County Schools. Today, Ray and Rhonda are proud grandparents, spending as much time as possible with their grandkids—always making time to go to Tweetsie Railroad when they're in town.
Ray is a small business owner, an educator, a volunteer, and a public servant who believes leadership starts with listening. Outside of public service, he’s an avid runner and outdoor enthusiast. He once ran the entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway—469 miles—to celebrate the National Park Service centennial and raise money for conservation.
Ray’s commitment to Watauga County is personal. This is home. And his goal is simple: help make sure it stays a place where people can afford to live, raise families, and feel like they belong.
Ray's Roots
From education to Service. From Community to Leadership.
Ray Russell’s path has always been about service, problem-solving, and building strong foundations.
Ray spent 42 years as a computer science professor, 30 of those years at Appalachian State University. He served as department chair, and mentored thousands of students—many from rural and first-generation backgrounds—helping them build careers in technology and beyond.
In 2000, Ray founded RaysWeather.Com, turning a lifelong interest in weather into a trusted local business, and was eventually named Business of the Year in 2013. Today, the company employs local meteorologists and staff and remains rooted in Boone. It’s a daily public service—and a reminder that local ownership still matters.
Ray’s dedication to community service led him into public leadership. In 2018, he was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives, representing Ashe and Watauga counties. Later, he was appointed to the Watauga County Board of Commissioners, where he worked collaboratively on housing, childcare, public safety, and essential services.
Across every chapter of his life—minister, educator, entrepreneur, legislator, commissioner—Ray has focused on one question: How do we make this a place where people can build good lives and stay?
Affordable & Available Housing
Ray has been a consistent advocate for the workforce and affordable
housing. As a county commissioner, he supported housing studies,
nonprofit partnerships, funding for home repairs for low-income renters, and smart use of public resources so teachers,
healthcare workers, and first responders can live in the community
they serve.
Childcare
Strong families are the foundation of a strong High Country. Ray supports policies that help families thrive — from access to childcare and education to the services that allow parents, caregivers, and kids to build stable lives here.
Healthcare
As a state legislator, Ray worked to expand access to healthcare, including closing the Medicaid coverage gap and strengthening rural
and community health services. Locally, he has supported public
health, mental health, and addiction recovery programs that strengthen
families and save lives.
Education
Education has shaped Ray’s entire career. He supported building the new Valley Cruces school, increasing teacher pay supplements, and has consistently stood with students, educators, and families—from Pre-K through higher education. He was the primary sponsor of the first bill in the NC Legislature to fully fund North Carolina Constitutional requirement of a sound basic education for all children.
Public Safety
Ray supported the planning and construction of Watauga County’s new Emergency Services Building and improvements to countywide emergency communications. He has consistently backed first responders with the tools and facilities they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.
Fair Elections and Voting
Ray was the driving force behind a voter-approved election system that protected fair representation and put decisions in the hands of Watauga County citizens. His approach was rooted in respect, transparency, and collaboration. Even in the year out of office, Ray has been working for Watauga County as a plaintiff in the federal lawsuit challenging the NC Legislature's gerrymander of Watauga County elections.