“Audaces fortuna juvat! (Fortune favors the bold!)”
Ray Chagnon, Jr. stands as a distinguished executive whose career embodies the essence of leadership through transformation, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. With decades of experience spanning sales, general management, staffing, outsourcing, and technology services, Ray’s professional journey tells the story of an executive who doesn’t merely manage growth—he architects it. His success is rooted in his rare ability to integrate operational precision with an entrepreneurial spirit, transforming organizations into dynamic, performance-driven enterprises.
Ray’s early career at global powerhouses such as AT&T/NCR Corporation, and Xerox provided a foundational understanding of technology, enterprise systems, and customer relationship management at scale. His tenure as Director of Global Sales and CRM at NCR’s World Headquarters in Dayton, Ohio, sharpened his ability to lead in complex, matrixed environments. There, he cultivated the executive presence and analytical rigor that would later define his approach to business leadership. At Xerox, his consistent achievement of President’s Club recognition underscored his early mastery of consultative selling and client value creation.
In the late 1990s, Ray brought his expertise to Alternative Resources Corporation (ARC), a $300 million leader in technology management and outsourcing. As Area Vice President for the Eastern Area, he was charged with revitalizing an underperforming region. Within a single year, Ray led a remarkable turnaround—elevating the region from third to first in national performance and driving 29% revenue growth. Managing operations across eleven states, seven branches, and more than 580 consultants, he demonstrated a signature ability to translate strategy into measurable outcomes while developing a culture of accountability and collaboration.
Ray’s leadership at MSX International further expanded his influence in the staffing and human capital management sectors. As Vice President of Sales for North America, he managed a $300 million P&L and orchestrated the integration of multiple acquisitions, successfully merging five distinct organizations into a cohesive, scalable entity. His deft navigation of merger complexities—spanning systems integration, branding, and cultural alignment—positioned MSX for sustainable growth. He also developed national sales organizations and account planning methodologies that became benchmarks for operational excellence across the enterprise.
In 2005, Ray joined Aquent, LLC—a $400 million global leader in IT, marketing, and creative staffing—where his trajectory continued upward. As Area Manager of the IT Division for New England, and later as Regional Sales Director for the Northern U.S., he played an instrumental role in redefining Aquent’s sales processes, metrics, and tools. The sales productivity improvements under his leadership resulted in a 26% growth in gross profit per Account Director within one year. His initiatives in training, account targeting, and outbound sales management reestablished Aquent as a high-performance organization in an increasingly competitive market.
Ray’s leadership maturity deepened further at Manpower Professional in 2009, where he served as Managing Director for New England. Managing a cross-functional team of recruiters, sales professionals, and administrative support staff, he increased weekly gross profit by 35% and achieved a 27% year-over-year increase in billed hours. His achievements in expanding client relationships and driving regional profitability underscored his mastery of operational discipline and team leadership.
However, it was at Creative Circle, part of ASGN Incorporated, where Ray’s executive career reached its fullest expression. Joining in 2010, he ascended through successive leadership roles to become Senior Vice President of Operations, overseeing all geographic operations across 26 offices in North America and Canada—representing more than $300 million in revenue and 240 professionals. His tenure was marked by innovation and strategic foresight, from leading CRM implementations (notably HubSpot) to spearheading regional expansions in key markets including Toronto, Boston, Washington D.C., and Atlanta. His operational stewardship and people-centered leadership earned him the prestigious Founder’s Award in 2021, recognizing his singular impact on company performance and culture.
During the $500M+ acquisition of Creative Circle by ASGN Inc. from Morgan Stanley in 2015, Ray was a pivotal figure in ensuring a seamless integration. His collaborative approach between legacy and acquiring teams ensured that both operational and cultural transitions were successful. The acquisition stands as a testament not only to Creative Circle’s market leadership but also to Raymond’s ability to bridge the worlds of growth strategy and human capital development.
Beyond metrics and milestones, Ray’s leadership philosophy is anchored in mentorship and empowerment. He has built and mentored high-performing teams, many of whom have advanced into leadership positions under his guidance. His focus on organizational development and process optimization has helped shape performance-driven cultures that balance accountability with innovation. His work has influenced the broader staffing, marketing, and creative industries, reinforcing the role of strategic leadership in driving both profit and purpose.
Ray’s academic background—an MBA in Marketing from the University of New Hampshire’s Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics, and a BA in Government and History from Manhattan University—has provided him with a dual lens of analytical thinking and human insight. This intellectual foundation, combined with decades of executive experience, positions him as a leader who understands not just how businesses operate, but why people and systems succeed together.
Character: Ray Chagnon exemplifies integrity, perseverance, and authenticity in every professional endeavor. His leadership is defined by a deep respect for people, a steadfast moral compass, and an unshakable commitment to doing what is right, even when it is difficult.
Knowledge: A consummate expert in staffing, sales operations, and organizational transformation, Ray combines analytical acumen with hands-on experience. His strategic understanding of markets, technology, and human capital management makes him an invaluable thought leader in the industries he serves.
Strategic: Ray possesses a rare ability to see the big picture while managing the details that drive execution. His foresight in navigating mergers, scaling operations, and fostering high-performance cultures consistently translates vision into measurable, sustainable success.
Communication: With clarity, empathy, and confidence, Ray communicates vision in a way that inspires teams and earns trust across all levels of the organization. His ability to align people, purpose, and performance underscores his reputation as a transformational and unifying executive.
