• State Rep. Lake Ray was hired today as president of the First Coast Manufacturers Association, effective Oct. 1. The association board voted this morning for Ray to succeed Lad Daniels, who has been president since 1992. Ray is the third president of the 22-year-old organization, which has 300 member companies. Daniels will remain until the end of the year for the transition. The group received 14 applications, interviewed four candidates and decided on Ray.
