Ray Kinney
Class of 1983Alumni Recognition Award, 2001
Ray Kinney one of the most distinguished businessman in this great suburb, Naperville. He is an active member in the community in which he grew up and to which he stayed loyal. Ray is also the recipient of many awards for his efforts.
Ray Kinney grew up in Naperville. He was active member of the NCHS community as a teenager as well. He participated in basketball, baseball, and football throughout his career here in the halls of Central. By his classmates, he was voted Best Ditcher and Class Clown, two labels he has yet to understand. However, he enrolled in Industrial Co-op at Central and got a job at the Naperville Sun, where he first became familiar with the business world.
After high school, he attended Eastern Illinois University for less than one semester and came back to work for The Sun. He continued to attend classes at College of Dupage, but soon came to the conclusion that college wasn’t where he wanted to go with his life. His father thought otherwise however and didn’t let Ray live in his house. Ray was blessed and luck enough to take hospitality in a boarding house in Naperville. As soon as he saved up enough money, he moved with a few of his coworkers to an apartment. Ray had to become an adult much quicker than most teenagers are expected to and his "post high school education" is unique and incomparable to many teenagers.
While working at The Sun, he volunteered at The Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce and became familiar with many Naperville business people. He worked full time with The Sun until 1988 when he left to join a small start up printing company. He then joined Energy Services Heating and Air Conditioning company as they battled duct cleaning. Ray was the head of this business for almost two years and then joined Minuteman Press in 1990. He became a clear and essential benefit to the company and eventually helped his Minuteman store into the largest franchise and largest quick print locations in the country. Only with his many relationships with the people of the community could this be achieved. Ray and his partners currently own several different printing productions in the area.
His special recognitions include: Jaycee of the Year 1991, Jaycee of the Year 1992, Above and Beyond Award from the Exchange Club (1994), Claddagh Award from St. Patrick’s Residence (1995), Naperville Family Spirit Award (1996), Educational Leadership Award (1997), Illinois Reaches Out Award from the Governor’s Office (1998), and Outstanding Community Volunteer from the State Board of Education (2001).
His community involvement resume includes Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, Naperville Jaycees, Exchange Club of Naperville, Naperville Development Partnership, Naperville Education Foundation, Naperville Plan Commission, Naperville Heritage Society, North Central College Board of Trustee Associates, Naperville Area YMCA, Little Friends, St. Patrick’s Residence, Safety Town Commission, Riverwalk 2000, Celebration 2000, and Millennium Carillon Foundation.
MR. KINNEY'S MESSAGE TO STUDENTS: Attitude is your most important asset. Be passionate about the goals and ideals that mean the most to you as you strive to achieve them. Choose to care about and be involved with the people and causes in your community.
