Download Ray Mabus Long Resume

RAY MABUS
SIGNIFICANT POSITIONS
Governor of Mississippi
United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Foamex International
GOVERNMENT
United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (1994 –1996)
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Managed one of the largest Embassies of the United States.
Recognized by State Department as one of best managed Embassies in the world.
Responded to terrorist attack on US Military installation.
Awarded Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Award and Department of the Army
Distinguished Civilian Service Award for actions. These two awards are the highest for civilians that
the Department of Defense and the Army give.
Close working relationship with President, White House, Department of State, Department of
Defense, Department of Commerce, several other government departments and agencies.
Reduced Embassy budget and personnel without reducing mission or service.
Served as forceful advocate for sale of American goods and services; more than $16 billion in
contracts signed during tenure.
Helped American businesses collect several hundred million dollars in past due accounts.
Crisis with Iraq successfully deterred by working in close cooperation with United States Central
Command and with United States military forces in Kingdom and at sea.
Successfully urged Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to abandon secondary and tertiary boycott of American
firms doing business with Israel.
Engaged Saudi Government in all aspects of the peace process.
Worked to reunite children of American mothers who had been kidnapped by Saudi fathers. (Wall
Street Journal editorials concerning this and my role and United States House of Representatives
hearings on this situation following my tenure).
Governor, State of Mississippi (1988-1992)
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$5 billion plus state budget always balanced and no tax increases during term
28,000 state employees (not including educational employees)
Selected Legislative Achievements
Largest teacher pay raise in United States and largest percentage increase for higher
education in United States
One of the most comprehensive educational reform acts in United States--Mississippi’s
B.E.S.T. (Better Education for Success Tomorrow)
Complete rewrite of economic development laws
First Governor to propose state budget and enacted first capital budget in State’s history
Changed form of county government to reduce cost and corruption and passed largest
restructuring of state government in Mississippi history
Selected State Achievements
Employment and Economic Development
90,000 net new jobs in four years
First in new plants per million population and 4th in plant expansion per million population
with $4 billion in new investments
5th largest drop in unemployment, 11th fastest per capita income gain in United States,
25th in nation in creation of new jobs and unemployment rate lowest in more than a
decade
Led five trade missions and established foreign offices in Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, and
Germany
State became one of largest traders with Israel by concluding $300 Million contract to build
ships for Israeli Navy
Tourism increased 41% and exports increased 51% while growth in welfare cut 87%
Education
High school graduation rate increased by 5.7% while in national rate declined
Developed Office for Literacy which Atlantic Monthly called “the most ambitious initiative
in the nation to combat adult illiteracy”
More financial resources for higher education: 21st in the nation (Mississippi is the poorest
state in the nation)
Initiated program of putting computer labs in every elementary school in the state
Development of Mississippi 2000, using fiber optics to provide students the opportunity to
participate in courses through interactive audiovisual communications
Nation’s lead state in percentage of students taking upper level science classes
Established parental involvement program in schools and school-to-work transition program
Health
Largest expansion of health care coverage and lowest infant mortality in State’s history
Law Enforcement
More drugs seized and more DUI arrests than ever in history of State
Initiated Governor’s Youth Brigade, an anti-drug program
Created State’s first full-time parole board
Established Mississippi Prison Industries Program
Environment
Led the drive to save diminishing wetlands and decrease flooding in the Mississippi Delta
Most comprehensive hazardous waste package in the nation
Selected Positions and Accomplishments
Youngest Governor in Mississippi in 150 years and youngest Governor in United States
when elected
President of Council of State Governments
Chair: Southern Governors’ Association; Democratic Governors’ Association; Southern
Regional Education Board; Southern Growth Policies Board; National Governors’
Association Economic Development and Technological Innovation Committee
and NGA Foreign Market Task Force
National Governors’ Association Executive Committee
Negotiating team for Governors; President’s Education Summit
Vice Chair of Lower Mississippi Delta Commission (then-Governor Bill Clinton was Chair)
State Auditor of Mississippi (elected)
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Sued for and/or recovered $5 million with 32 people indicted or convicted
Participated with FBI in very large sting operation “Operation Pretense” on official
corruption. 57 indictments with 56 convictions or guilty pleas
First ever Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the State and Certificate of
Achievement from Governmental Fiscal Officers Association
POLITICAL
Senior Advisor, Presidential Campaign of Senator Barack Obama (since April 2007)
PRIVATE SECTOR
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Foamex International 2006-2007
 Foamex is the leading manufacturer of foam and foam products in North America. It has
approximately $1.3 billion in yearly sales, approximately 4,000 employees and 40 facilities in
North America and Asia.
 Foamex filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in late 2005 as a result of being overleveraged and suffering some business reversals.
 Chosen CEO in 2006 to lead Foamex out of bankruptcy.
 During my tenure as CEO Foamex:
o Emerged from bankruptcy
o Paid all creditors of every class 100 cents on the dollar, plus interest
o Kept equity intact
o Raised an additional $150 million in new equity through a rights offering
o Significantly de-leveraged and emerged from bankruptcy with a far stronger balance
sheet
o Stock went from trading in the 1-3 cent range in early 2006 with 26 million shares
outstanding to trading in the $4.75-$5.15 range in the first quarter of 2007 with 92
million shares outstanding
o Market capitalization went from less than $1 million to over $400 million
o EBITDA increased from approximately $85 million in 2005 to approximately $150
million in 2006
o Devised a business plan which provides for much higher capital expenditures and
rapid pay down of debt
o While CEO of Foamex, commuted from home in Jackson, Mississippi to Foamex
headquarters in Linwood, Pennsylvania. When Foamex emerged very successfully
from bankruptcy, resigned and returned to Mississippi.
Chairman of Board, Foamex International 2004-2006
Board Member, Foamex International 2000-2004
Chair of Audit Committee
Board Memberships
Present:
Enersys, Incorporated (Public, NYSE) 2007-present
World’s largest producer of industrial batteries. Approximately $2 billion in sales.
Audit Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee
Hines Horticulture (Public, OTC) 2007-present
Large producer of plants for customers such as Wal-mart, Lowe’s and Home Depot
Audit, Governance and Compensation Committees. Governance Chair.
Fusion Incorporated (Public, AMEX)) 1999-present
Voice-over-internet protocol telecommunications company
Compensation Committee
Past member, Audit Committee
Previous:
Kroll Incorporated (public)1996-2005
Corporate restructuring, due diligence, forensic accounting company
Audit Committee Chair
Governance and Compensation Committees
Board membership ended when Kroll sold to Marsh McLennan
Several boards of private companies (present and previous)
President and Chairman of Executive Committee, Frontline Global Resources (1998-2002)
Consulting firm which helps Fortune 500 companies with human resource issues
Of Counsel:
Baker, Donelson, Bearman and Caldwell (1996- 2003)
Consulting:
Kissinger-McLarty (through 2001)
Sikorsky, Incorporated (through 2002)
Raytheon, Incorporated (through 2000)
OTHER ACTIVITIES
Owner, Family timber Business
Distinguished Lecturer on the Middle East, University of Mississippi
Selected Awards
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Jackson, Mississippi Clarion Ledger, Best Governor of the 20th Century Reader Poll Award
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Martin Luther King, Jr., Social Responsibility Award by the King Center in Atlanta, Georgia.
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National Wildlife Federation’s Conservation Achievement Award
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Mississippi Association of Educators’ “Friend of Education” Award
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Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Award
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Department of the Army Distinguished Civilian Service Award
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King Abdul Aziz Award, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
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International Security Leadership Award
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Fortune Magazine “Top Ten Education Governors”
Selected Non-Profit Boards
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RAND Corporation Middle East Public Policy
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St. Andrew’s Episcopal School
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Piney Woods School
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B.B. King Foundation
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America-Mideast Educational and Training Services (Treasurer)
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Center for a Better South Advisory Board
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Help and Hope Foundation (to aid children affected by Hurricane Katrina) Founder
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Child Care Action Committee Planning Committee Member (Previous)
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The Children’s Health Fund Advisory Board (Previous)
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Jane Goodall Foundation Board (Previous)
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The Washington Institute Energy Task Force (Previous)
Selected Other
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Cover story, New York Times Magazine
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Front page story, Wall Street Journal on time as State Auditor
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Appearances on various television programs, including “60 Minutes” and “Nightline,” as an
expert on the Middle East
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Traveled to over 100 countries on six continents
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Participated at senior level in five Presidential campaigns
EDUCATION
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Harvard Law School, J.D., Magna Cum Laude, 1976
The Johns Hopkins University, M.A., Political Science, 1970, Woodrow Wilson Fellow
University of Mississippi, B.A., English and Political Science, 1969, Summa Cum Laude
Public School, Ackerman, Mississippi
MILITARY
United States Navy, Lt.(jg), on board USS Little Rock, Guided Missile Cruiser, 1970-1972
PERSONAL
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Born in 1948 in Ackerman, Mississippi, Fourth Generation Mississippian
Wife Lynne; daughters, Elisabeth, born 1990, Anne, born 1992, and Kate, born 2001
Member, Galloway United Methodist Church