PHOENIX, AZ Sundt promotes Sean Ray to Director of Craft Workforce Development. Ray, who has 23 years of construction experience, has served as Craft Workforce Development Manager since April 2015.

One of Ray's goals will be to help Sundt meet its growing need for skilled craft workers. It's estimated that the construction industry will be short 2 million trade workers by 2020.

"During the past year, Sean provided leadership to his team and to the organization to advance the development of our craft workforce at a level that exceeded our expectations," said Sundt Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Dan Haag. "This resulted in more progress in the development of our craft workforce in a one-year time period than any year in the company's history."

Ray and his team have developed and implemented a successful program to certify craft workers to NCCER standards and started a partnership with Central Arizona College (CAC) to train students to become the next generation of construction professionals. In conjunction with Sundt, CAC offers five pre-employment one-year certificates and one three-year academic apprenticeship program that lead to certifications, certificates and degrees that prepare students for workforce needs including heavy equipment operator, structural welding, pipefitting, industrial construction and concrete construction technology.

Ray entered the construction field in 1994 as a Pipefitter's Helper. Through the years, he moved up to Journeyman Pipefitter, Foreman, and then into Quality Control. He entered management in 2003 as a Superintendent and has served as Construction Manager, Corporate Quality Manager and Operations Manager.

Ray served in the United States Navy from 1990-'93 as a Sonar Technician on the USS Vincennes, a guided missile cruiser. When not on watch hunting submarines, he was in charge of maintenance on cooling skids for the sonar system, marking his introduction to piping systems.