BREATHE LA Protects the Breath of Life : promoting clean air and healthy lungs through research, education and technology.

Ray Gonzales

Posted Wed, 11/21/2007 - 9:29am

Ray Gonzales received a Proclamation from the City of Los Angeles upon his retirement after over 40 years as Community Affairs Director/Public Affairs Producer with KTLA-TV. Ray hosted Channel 5’s Pacesetters show for many years and was recognized for his public service commitment. As KTLA's director of community affairs Ray was responsible for ascertaining the needs and concerns of the community KTLA serves. He developed strategies, relationships and partnerships with organizations and individuals in need.

Ray enjoyed being executive producer and host of "Pacesetters," the weekly series designed to meet the cultural and informational needs of the community.

Pacesetters has been on the air for 35 years and continues to broadcast. The format presented topical local and national concerns, debates, political, education, community, government and education issues. It also profiles individuals who are pacesetters in their fields of endeavor.

As KTLA Charities coordinator for the McCormick Foundation, Ray was responsible for overseeing the distribution of funds to various charities and organizations that met fund criteria. A partial list of organizations include: LA’s BEST, Children’s Bureau, Richstone Family Center, Cabrillo Marine Museum, AbilityFirst, Union Station Foundation, Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County, Cystic Fibrosis, Shelter Partnership, Book Ends, California African American Museum and Orange County Human Relations Council.

Ray is immediate past co-chair of BREATHE LA Development Marketing Committee and has served as a board member and advisory committee member with the LA’s BEST After School Enrichment Program, Los Angeles County Human Relations Corporate Advisory Committee, Breathe California of Los Angeles County and the Los Angeles County Library Foundation.

Presentations and community activities include motivational speaker for various schools (elementary through college). Ray also takes on master of ceremonies duties for civic, community, educational and professional organizations.

Prior to joining KTLA in 1973, Ray's first broadcasting job was with CBS Network where he worked as a production administrator. Concurrent with the CBS position Ray also was the associate producer of the KCBS public affairs weekly series "The Siesta Is Over." Ray also teaches the UCLA Extension course, “On Camera Interview."