As a strategic organizational advisor, Ray has made a good contribution to the development of the municipality of Amersfoort. Ray contributed to the further development of the physical domain management team, through a process of inclusive reflection, through which issues were put on the table and could be discussed openly. He provided concrete tools for the further professionalization of the management team, with a focus on the ownership of management team members. In addition, Ray also facilitated the directors in determining the direction and priorities for the year. His structured way of working was helpful. He has also contributed to the enhancement of the Amersfoort leadership quadrant, which will serve as a framework for directors and management to conduct discussions about the meaning of leadership in the current context. It takes a pair of fresh eyes to put things into perspective; that’s a good summary of the role Ray has played.
Nico Kamporst – Worked with Ray as municipal secretary of Amersfoort.
“I experienced Ray as a sympathetic and energetic colleague. Ray started working at the municipality of Amersfoort as a strategic organizational consultant, where he was a interlocutor for the board and management. His efforts were mainly focused on the physical domain, where he contributed to the enhancement of management and working methods. In addition, he facilitated the management in discussing the organizational agenda and provided an impetus for developing the Amersfoort leadership compass. Ray has shown the ability to observe and reflect sharply on both the organizational level and individual roles. He brings an analytical view and a careful approach. He does not hesitate to approach matters critically and quickly sees connections and patterns. (…).”
Ellen Stuve – Worked with Ray as department head of organization and talent development at the municipality of Amersfoort.
“As an executive advisor and project leader, Ray has made a valuable contribution to various persistent issues at the Netherlands Court of Audit. Due to his sharpness and hands-on mentality, he was able to quickly familiarize himself with various complex issues. He clearly outlined the necessary changes to optimally position and further develop the organization. Ray created a confidential atmosphere, allowing meaningful and fruitful conversations. This allowed him to harvest valuable and sensitive information and communicate it effectively, without compromising the safety of the employees involved. He has worked towards concrete solutions through creative sessions and has given useful advice that the organization can implement immediately. In short, thanks to Ray’s contribution, the Court of Audit has taken a good step towards a more efficient and effective organization.”
Frank Mugge – Worked with Ray as Executive Coordinator of the Netherlands Court of Audit.
“Soon after his arrival, his presence felt familiar and he immediately belonged in our organization. Ray is dedicated, serious in his work, meticulous, smart, flexible, and always in for a creative approach. As a real team player, he is pleasant to deal with, which has helped him to achieve sustainable impact in various ways in less than favorable circumstances. This is what defines Ray: he doesn’t shy away from a challenge, but he tackles it with vision and determination.
He has, for example, brought more structure into the organization by developing the necessary instruments as well as driving the associated cultural change. He also contributed to the governance of THOR in relation to collaboration partners, further clarifying THOR’s roles and responsibilities for both our employees and our partners. Ray also played a role in the process of achieving the political adoption of the Action Plan for Enforcement in the Public Space 2022 in the complex administrative system of the municipality of Amsterdam. His ability to empathize with the interests of other parties has served him well in this context. In addition, Ray has been involved in the preparations for the mayor’s enforcement portfolio for the negotiations for a new council and has identified enforcement as a strategic topic. In summary, Ray can be described as a real entrepreneur for the public good, who has the inner peace to connect and at the same time is able to achieve tangible results.”
Cor van ‘t Hoff – collaborated with our founder as Deputy Director of Supervision and Enforcement in the Public Space (THOR) at the Municipality of Amsterdam.
“I got to know Ray as an enthusiastic colleague and consultant, with a special interest in complex issues with political/managerial components. As a critical thinker, he is of great value in situations where (intercultural) collaboration requires attention and where political ambitions dominate. With Ray your strategic and organizational challenges are in good hands. He has an excellent eye for tensions between formal arrangements and reality on the ground. A reality in which numerous interests collide and appear incompatible. And a reality in which spotlights are focused on public behavior. His sympathetic personality defuses tense situations. Ray takes his time to listen carefully to ambitions and frustrations of involved stakeholders, and is then able to act swiftly and effectively towards an accepted result. With his style stakeholders feel involved and also become aware of each other’s interests. His approach clears the overgrown path to a solution.”
Luc Steenhorst – collaborated with our founder as Director of Berenschot International
“After Ray joined our team, I had the opportunity to coach him in the development of his consultancy skills. I am very pleased to have experienced him as my right hand in strategic processes, ranging from regional to international. I got to know Ray as an involved consultant –from transportation to strategic – that enjoys challenges. He looks for (societal) difficulties and is able to distill the core of the problem through stakeholder engagement. Multidisciplinary complexity appeals to him, he enjoys connecting different fields of expertise to achieve a well-balanced advice. Ray easily connects on all levels and is a valued sparring partner for his clients and colleagues. He is able to use his writing skills for all purposes, for instance: a professional report, an argumentative discourse or paper for politicians and executives. “
Robert Jan Roos – Collaborated with our founder as a Senior Consultant at Arcadis.
“I know Ray as a committed consultant who likes to deal with complicated issues in the world of infrastructure and mobility and brings a lot of experience when it comes to collaboration issues on a national and regional level. With his cheerful and engaging personality, he knows how to get people moving. He does not hesitate to mention the issues at hand. He does this through research, interest and conversation. His analytical skills also come in handy in evaluation and research processes.”
Zenzi Pluut – Collaborated with our founder as a Managing Partner at Twynstra Gudde.
“Ray understands the importance of human factors in projects. In his projects he puts effort in defining the core issue: what is the actual problem? He handles issues conscientiously and involves his client optimally in the steps he takes. This makes his analyses clear and to the point. Consequently, his recommendations really make sense.”
Gaston Graaf – Collaborated with our founder as a Project Manager at the Province of Limburg