STAFF SPOTLIGHT
LEE RAY
AMA Social Media Manager
Q: How long have you worked at AMA and what is your current role?
A: I have worked at AMA since March 2021. My title is Social Media Manager. I communicate with members and clubs daily, working to expand the joy of the hobby on our social media channels. I also photograph and record videos of flying events across the US.
Q: What hobbies do you have?
A: My main hobby is model aviation. I’ve been involved with it since I was a young child, building and flying models with my father. As a father of two boys, however, my other hobbies include their activities: photography, baseball, 3D printing, airsoft [a team-based shooting game], and shooting.
Q: As a remote AMA employee who lives in Texas, what is your favorite place to eat?
A: In Cypress, Texas, my favorite place to eat is a Japanese restaurant called Shogun Japanese Grill & Sushi Bar. It has awesome sushi and hibachi.
Q: Do you have any pets?
A: Yes. Cody is a huge, 20-pound, yellow Maine Coon cat. This one has a serious attitude and basically sleeps and eats all day. Loveable is not a word I’d use to describe him, but we love him anyway.
Q: What do you enjoy most about working at AMA?
A: I work for an organization that I’ve been a member of for more than 40 years; my father and I share consecutive five-digit AMA numbers. I don’t claim to be a great builder or pilot, but this hobby is my passion, and I love sharing it with my sons and friends. Having the opportunity to interact with members and share the joy of the hobby is extremely rewarding and fun.
Q: Can you share a memorable moment from your time at AMA?
A: I am grateful that AMA supports its employees in attending many of the wonderful hobby events and contests supported by the organization. For many years, Joe Nall Week was a bucket-list flying event that I’ve always wanted to attend. AMA sent me to photograph the event in 2022 for social media. Triple Tree Aerodrome is an incredible facility that celebrates model and full-scale aviation, and it’s an amazing site to visit.
Q: What is a detail or aspect of your job that people outside of the AMA might not realize is so important?
A: The key to keeping this hobby alive is constantly sharing stories of hobbyists enjoying it. Social media is a great way to share photos/videos/stories from members or club events. This is a fun hobby, and we need to strive to get more pilots (young and old) to experience it. I encourage everyone to capture and share content at your club and make it available for the public to see and enjoy.
