Ray Silvey
Ray Silvey of Parkville, Missouri, is receiving the 2018 Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors Meritorious Service Award in recognition of his distinguished career in serving Missouri dairy farmers.
Ray grew up in Versailles, Missouri. He attended Southwest Missouri State University (now Missouri State University) and graduated in 1958 with a bachelor’s in Business Administration and Management.
Through Ray’s career as a leader in human and labor relations, he has dedicated his life’s work to the enrichment of the employees of the processing part of the dairy industry. He has done this by providing a living wage to employees so they can provide for their families, all the while ensuring dairy organizations’ financial health so it can sustain long-term viability. He also worked to ensure open markets for dairy farmers for their end product.
Ray had a long tenure at Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), beginning in October of 1970. For thirty years he served at DFA, ascending to the role of Vice President of Human Resources, Labor Relations & Administration. After leaving DFA at the end of 2000, he spent six years as an independent labor relations consultant. In October 2006, Ray returned to work in the dairy industry as Vice President of Human Resources/Labor Relations at Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc., a position he retired from at the end of 2018.
For many years, Ray has been a strong advocate and supporter of the dairy industry. For 18 years, Ray served as a member and Executive Secretary/Treasurer for the Missouri Dairy Products Association (MDPA), a nonprofit representing dairy processors, distributors, and allied trades in the state of Missouri.
Ray is also active in his local community. He is involved in several organizations, including The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Powell Gardens, and the Kansas City Chapter of The International Wine & Food Society. For fun, Ray is a member of the National Golf Club of Kansas City, MO and the Riss Lake Fishing Club. He is also a member of Pleasant Valley Church.
The Midwest Dairy Products Association submitted the nomination for Ray. In his letter of support, Mike Dorrian, president of MDPA, said, “During his long tenure as secretary of the MDPA, he worked tirelessly to promote the dairy industry and increase milk sales throughout the state and region. Because of his success and accomplishments over a decades-long career in service to the dairy industry – and specifically to the industry in the state of Missouri – we humbly ask that the Missouri Dairy Hall of Honors recognize Ray with this prestigious award.”
Ray and his wife Arlen reside in Parkville, Missouri.