Ray Powell is one of the most accomplished Commissioner of Public Lands ever elected in New Mexico. Governor Bruce King appointed him to complete an unexpired term in May, 1993 and in 1994, he was elected to serve a four-year term. In 1998 he was re-elected to another four-year term, receiving nearly 80% of the vote statewide. Term limits ruled out a third successive term for Ray.

Ray was president of the Western States Land Commissioners' Association from 1997-1998. He served two terms as a member of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Advisory Committee on Foreign Animal and Poultry Diseases. Ray served as Chairman of the New Mexico Board of Veterinary Regulation and Licensing from 2002-2005 and served as the Executive Director of the Valles Caldera National Preserve in 2004-2005.

Ray worked very hard to bring various groups together to find common ground and solve problems. During his tenure he received numerous accolades and awards from business, agriculture, sportsmen, academic, and enviromental groups.

These include:

• The New Mexico Chapter of the American Planning Association Award for the Best Public Official in 2000.
• The Fabian Garcia Founders Award in Excellence from the New Mexico State University College of Agriculture and Home Economics.
• The Animal Humane Award from the Animal Protection of New Mexico Board of Directors in November of 2000.
• The Earth Day Coalition of New Mexico 2000 Environmental Achievement in Business Award for the Mesa del Sol development
• The Wildlife Society New Mexico Chapter Conservation Award in 2001 for Outstanding Contributions to Wildlife Habitat and Research and Conservation.
• The Southwest Consolidated Sportsmen Award in 2002 for Progressive Leadership and Outstanding Support of Wildlife Habitat Improvement on State Trust Lands.
• The New Mexico Watershed Coalition Award in 2002 in Recognition of Exceptional Leadership in Conserving New Mexico's Precious Natural Resources.
• The Range Land Manager of The Year Award in 2003 from the New Mexico Section of Society for Range Management.
• The 2003 Outstanding Alumnus Award for Exceptional Achievement from the Tufts University Veterinary Alumni Association.

As the Commissioner of Public Lands, Ray served on the State Investment Council, Mining Commission, Oil Conservation Commission, the Youth Conservation Corps Commission and the Capitol Building's Planning Commission.

Ray is a veterinarian. He received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Tufts University, with emphasis in wildlife rehabilitation, in 1985.

Ray is a native of Albuquerque and attended Albuquerque Public Schools. He received his Bachelor's degree in Anthropology and Biology, and a Master's degree in Botany and Plant Ecology from the University of New Mexico, in Albuquerque.

Prior to his appointment as Commissioner of Public Lands, he served as a Special Assistant to Governor Bruce King, with responsibility for environment, natural resources, health, and recreation.

The Commissioner of Public Lands is an elected state official who administers the state's land grant trust (9 million acres of surface and 13 million acres of subsurface rights) for the beneficiaries of the trust. Beneficiaries include the public schools and universities, as well as special schools and hospitals that serve children with physical, visual, and auditory disabilities.