LEADERSHIP

Ray Thomann is the President and CEO of R. Michael & Associates, where he leads with vision, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Thomas Edison State University, Ray has further honed his expertise through certifications from Rutgers University, Northwestern University, and numerous prestigious training institutions.

Ray’s comprehensive training background encompasses a wide range of disciplines in law enforcement, emergency management, and leadership. His credentials include certifications from the U.S. Department of Justice – FBI, U.S. Department of Homeland Security – FEMA, NJ Division of Criminal Justice, NJ State Police Office of Emergency Management, NJ Department of Law & Public Safety, NJ Police Training Commission (PTC), and the Northeast Counterdrug Training Center. Additionally, he has earned training certifications from industry leaders, including Simunition FX, Monadnock, PPCT Management Systems Inc., Safariland, and No Lie Blades.

Ray’s commitment to safety and training excellence has earned him a prominent role on the State of New Jersey’s PTC Defensive Tactics Standards Board, where he contributed to establishing training protocols for all state Law Enforcement Training Academies.

With a profound understanding of safety and security operations, Ray has seamlessly integrated his skills and experiences to serve diverse sectors, including government, academia, retail, private enterprise, and personal protection services. His visionary leadership has made him a sought-after expert and respected figure within his field.

A proven Executive Protection Professional and Trainer, Ray has led security details and personalized safety training programs for high-profile individuals, celebrities, dignitaries, and executive clients. His expertise extends to training Executive Protection Agents, Law Enforcement Officers, Military Personnel, and Security Teams in advanced security protocols, emergency management, and defensive tactics.

Ray’s commitment to excellence and his contributions to public safety and the combative arts have earned him numerous awards and commendations, including:

• • State of New Jersey Senate Commendation from Senator Diane Allen
  • Unit Excellence Award – Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office
  • ProCop Award – Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office
  • Outstanding Service to Law Enforcement Commendation – Burlington County Police Academy
  • Unit of the Year (FTO Training Unit) – PTPD
  • Life Saver Award – PTPD
  • WKU Karate Hall of Fame (Class of 2002)
  • WKU Master Instructor of the Year (Combat Budokwan)
  • Philadelphia Historic Martial Arts Society Hall of Fame (Class of 2017)
  • American Moo Duk Kwan Federation – Master Instructor
  • American Order of Combat BuDoKwan – Master Instructor
  • Defensive Tactics Standards Board Member – State of NJ PTC

Ray is a firm believer in the value of continuous training and education, understanding that excellence is maintained through ongoing professional development. This philosophy is evident in his approach to delivering high-quality services, rigorous training regimens, and impactful leadership.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Ray is also certified in First Aid, CPR, and AED use, and holds Incident Command Certifications from the Department of Homeland Security – FEMA. His dedication to staying at the forefront of safety practices continues to shape his work and inspire those around him.