[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 13, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E55-E56]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO RAY MONCRIEF

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 13, 2015

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
one of the most astute business leaders and job creators in southern 
and eastern Kentucky, Ray Moncrief, upon his retirement from the 
Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation.

[[Page E56]]

   For generations, southern and eastern Kentucky has relied upon the 
coal mining industry for good paying jobs; however, primarily in the 
last decade, we have witnessed a debilitating decline in our 
Appalachian coalfields. To help diversify our business portfolio, I 
have long relied upon the expertise of my dear friend Ray Moncrief. In 
fact, he helped form the cornerstones of one of the region's largest 
job creating organizations, the Southeast Kentucky Economic Development 
Corporation (SKED).
   Knowing the challenges of entrepreneurship in his own startup 
companies, Ray has dedicated countless hours to small business owners 
and local developers, providing technical and managerial training, 
guiding them through loan opportunities, development costs and 
contracts, and advocating for community partnerships and investments. 
He has taught numerous innovative individuals how to start, operate and 
expand successful companies and organizations in our region and across 
the country.
   Ray's finite business sense has been sought out by countless 
businesses and non-profit organizations. His resume includes Executive 
Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Kentucky Highlands 
Investment Corporation, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of 
Mountain Ventures, Inc., and Fund Manager for both the Southern 
Appalachian Fund and Meritus Venture. He was previously a member of the 
NASBIC Board of Governors, and is currently a member of the Boards of 
Directors of the Community Development Financial Institution Coalition, 
the New Markets Tax Credit Coalition, the National Consumer Cooperative 
Bank, and NCB Capital Impact. He is also a founding director and the 
founding Chairman of Appalachian Community Capital, Inc. Topping off 
his long list of credibility, Ray is also a founding member of the 
Community Development Venture Capital Alliance (CDVCA) and is credited 
for designing the community development venture capital.
   As noted in his biography, Ray is a nationally and internationally 
recognized speaker and writer on the use of equity as an economic 
development strategy, and has provided testimony to the U.S. Congress 
on various economic topics. President George W. Bush appointed Ray to 
the Community Development Advisory Fund in 2008. He has also received 
Lifetime Achievement Awards from CDVCA and the National Association of 
Seed and Venture Funds.
   I ask my colleagues to join me in applauding Ray Moncrief for 
manifesting the spirit of entrepreneurship that helps run America. His 
investment into the practices of small business owners across southern 
and eastern Kentucky will undoubtedly continue to create jobs for 
generations to follow. I wish Ray the very best in his retirement.

                          ____________________