AIM president/CEO McCarty honored with Neighbor Award by the Assn. of Missouri Electric Cooperatives

October 1, 2025 - The Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives presented Ray McCarty, president and CEO of Associated Industries of Missouri with the "Coop Neighbor Award" at their annual dinner in Branson.

"From time to time, we come across a person who epitomizes what the words 'Good Neighbor' mean," said Caleb Jones, CEO of the Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives. "There are people in this world who value helping others. They are individuals who go out of their way to share their time, talents and treasures to see others succeed. Such a person is Ray McCarty."

AMEC Executive VP and CEO Caleb Jones presents award to Ray McCarty, president and CEO of AIM.

“Ray McCarty’s dedication to fostering a strong business climate and his unwavering support for Missouri’s cooperatives make him an indispensable partner in strengthening rural communities and advancing Missouri’s economy,” Jones said. “It would be almost impossible to accurately count the true value of the assistance Ray has provided to Missouri’s electric cooperatives. For this reason, we felt it important to thank Ray for his service above and beyond the call of duty.”

Ray has served as president and CEO of Associated Industries of Missouri since 2008. He also serves as the executive director of the Taxpayers Research Institute of Missouri, the tax division of Associated Industries, and executive director of the Missouri Transportation and Development Council, a group dedicated to improving transportation in Missouri. He previously served various employers of Missouri and trade associations as a governmental relations consultant and in various posts in the Missouri Department of Revenue ranging from revenue agent to legislative liaison. He has worked with the Missouri legislature since 1989.

Ray works for the benefit of Associated Industries’ members, drawing upon his wealth of experience in government and working with the business community, the public and the media. In addition to his duties at AIM, Ray is a member of the Institute for Professionals in Taxation, member of the Board of Directors of the Missouri Civil Justice Reform Coalition, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Missourians for Transportation Investment, member of the Board of Directors of Child Care Aware of Missouri, member of the Midwest Manufacturers Association, member of the Council of State Manufacturing Associations (COSMA), former member of the Board of Directors of the Clay County Economic Development Council and previously chaired the Missouri Business Alliance, a group that worked to increase employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

In his role with Associated Industries of Missouri, McCarty leads the organization known as “The Voice of Missouri Business®,” representing employers in the Missouri legislature, courts and general public.

Ray’s work directly benefits Missouri’s electric cooperatives, as he is a steadfast ally in ensuring energy providers have the tools and policies necessary to deliver reliable, affordable, and sustainable power to rural Missourians. He consistently champions tax fairness, protecting cooperatives from burdens that could increase costs for member-owners. He was instrumental in passage of the electricity transmission and distribution sales tax exemption, saving millions of dollars that directly benefit Missouri electric cooperatives and their member customers.

He has consistently promoted workforce development initiatives, helping ensure a pipeline of skilled workers for co-ops and the communities they serve. Ray was also the lead advocate to get statutory changes to Proposition A, the paid sick leave initiative that placed administrative burdens on all Missouri employers, including coops.

“Ray is a trusted partner and a valuable resource for Missouri’s electric cooperatives,” Jones added. “He has taken time to discuss tax and workforce policy and implementation numerous groups across the Missouri electric cooperative family.”

In thanking the AMEC for the award, McCarty emphasized the importance of rural electric cooperatives in providing power for rural businesses.

"Coops are the lifeblood of rural electric power," said McCarty. "You serve all the businesses and homes in your area around the clock. We have been working on this particular sales and use tax exemption for at least a decade and, as Caleb said, we initially faced some challenges helping the Missouri Department of Revenue understand items that qualify for the exemption. But we worked with Caleb, Mike Sutherland, and the AMEC leadership team to show the Department of Revenue how broadly this exemption should be interpreted to the benefit of the investor-owned utilities, Missouri's electric coops, and your coop member customers. We really value our partnership with the AMEC and we look forward to continuing to working with you, and for you, in the future. Thank you so much for this great honor," he said.

Material for this article contributed by Sara Schafer, Rural Missouri Editor, and pictures were provided by Jim McCarty, Association of Missouri Electric Cooperatives.