Yeah, that
Ray Russell of
no place
like home
Ray believes leadership should bring people together. He knows that one of our basic needs is a place to feel safe, protected, and respected. We all long for a place where we are treated with dignity and BELONG. In a political culture the devides and degrades, Ray seeks to build and help everyone find their "HOME" in this world. Watauga County can be that place.
That's why he has always been an advocate for:
Affordable and Available Housing
Education
Families, Childcare, and Early Childhood Education
Affordable Healthcare
A Living Wage for All Workers
Fair Elections and Voting
Public Safety
Meet Ray Russell
You already know Ray Russell! He's the Ray of RaysWeather.
Ray is the founder and owner of RaysWeather.Com, a locally owned High Country institution that has served northwest North Carolina for 25 years. What began as a one-person passion project is now the most widely read media outlet in the region, relied on daily by tens of thousands of residents, schools, businesses, and emergency responders. For many people, Ray is the voice they trust to help plan their day, protect their family, and understand what’s coming next.
But RaysWeather was never just about forecasts. It was built on service, trust, and community—and those same values shape Ray’s approach to leadership.
Ray lives in Boone with his wife Rhonda, a longtime early childhood educator. They’ve been married for nearly five decades and raised two daughters here, both graduates of Watauga County Schools. Today, Ray and Rhonda are proud grandparents, spending as much time as possible with their grandkids—whether that’s backyard playtime, school events, or family hikes in the High Country.
Ray is a small business owner, an educator, a volunteer, and a public servant who believes leadership starts with listening. Outside of public service, he’s an avid runner and outdoor enthusiast. He once ran the entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway—469 miles—to celebrate the National Park Service centennial and raise money for conservation.
Ray’s commitment to Watauga County is personal. This is home. And his goal is simple: help make sure it stays a place where people can afford to live, raise families, and feel like they belong.
Ray's Roots
From education to Service. From Community to Leadership
Ray Russell’s path has always been about service, problem-solving, and building strong foundations.
Ray spent 42 years as a computer science professor, 30 of those years at Appalachian State University. He served as department chair, and mentored thousands of students—many from rural and first-generation backgrounds—helping them build careers in technology and beyond.
In 2000, Ray founded RaysWeather, turning a lifelong interest in
weather into a trusted local business. Today, the company employs local meteorologists and staff and remains rooted in Boone. It’s a daily public service—and a reminder that local ownership still matters.
Ray’s dedication to community service led him into public leadership. In 2018, he was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives, representing Ashe and Watauga counties. Later, he was appointed to the Watauga County Board of Commissioners, where he worked collaboratively on housing, childcare, public safety, and essential services.
Across every chapter of his life—educator, entrepreneur, legislator, commissioner—Ray has focused on one question: How do we make this a place where people can build good lives and stay?
Affordable & Available Housing
In the mountains, safety depends on strong emergency services. Ray supports continued investment in first responders, EMS, fire protection, and emergency preparedness so Watauga County residents can count on help when they need it most.
Childcare
Strong families are the foundation of a strong High Country. Ray supports policies that help families thrive — from access to childcare and education to the services that allow parents, caregivers, and kids to build stable lives here.
Healthcare
Watauga County is losing residents ages 25–40 because housing is increasingly unaffordable. Ray is committed to expanding housing options so working families, young adults, and essential workers can afford to call Watauga home.
Education
Education has shaped Ray’s entire career. He supported investments in school facilities, teacher pay supplements, and early childhood education, and has consistently stood with students, educators, and families—from Pre-K through higher education.
Public Safety
Ray supported the planning and construction of Watauga County’s new Emergency Services Building and improvements to countywide emergency communications. He has consistently backed first responders with the tools and facilities they need to do their jobs safely and effectively.
Fair Elections and Voting
As a county commissioner, he supported a fair, voter-approved election system that protects representation and puts decisions in the hands of citizens. His approach is rooted in respect, transparency, and collaboration—even when there are disagreements. Even in the year out of office, Ray has been working for Watauga County as a plaintiff in the federal lawsuit challenging the NC Legislature's gerrymander of Watauga County elections.