The NSCA Education Foundation, the 501c3 charitable activity affiliate of NSCA focused on workforce development and industry advancement, announced a recent and significant financial contribution from Ray Bailey, CEO of Lone Star Communications, to help support the Foundations Legacy Program.

In July 2025, Bailey presented a donation check to the NSCA Education Foundation to create lasting opportunities to support and expand workforce development, training, and industry awareness initiatives.

Bailey is stepping back from his longstanding roles with NSCA and the NSCA Education Foundation, where he’s served in various leadership and board of directors roles for more than two decades, he affirms his commitment to the organization’s mission by establishing the Legacy Program and encouraging others in the industry to give back. He presented the substantial gift during his final NSCA board of directors meeting, coinciding with his company’s transition to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

“Ray has always been dedicated to giving back to the industry and supporting the next generation,” said Tom LeBlanc, executive director, NSCA. “In the past, he has been recognized for his decades of leadership, service, and lasting contributions to the integration community. Ray’s generosity will allow the foundation to fund high-impact programs for years to come.”

The Legacy Program is designed to sustain long-term investments in career, talent, and professional development resources that strengthen the commercial integration industry. Bailey will play an instrumental role in determining how his contributions are applied. Potential initiatives include:

• Specialized training programs, such as AI-related skills for integrators
• Events and programs focused on attracting young professionals to the industry
• Enhancements to the Essentials Library and other key member resources

“I chose to support the NSCA Education Foundation because I believe deeply in the importance of ongoing education in our industry. Most of what we do isn’t taught in traditional schools or colleges — it’s learned on the job, through companies or through NSCA. But many companies are simply too small to offer consistent training programs. That’s where NSCA can step in and make a real difference,” Bailey said. “Beyond training, we also need to focus on attracting new talent. Like many others, I entered this industry by chance — without even knowing it existed. The NSCA Education Foundation plays a key role in educating today’s workforce and raising awareness so the next generation can join us.”