Ray Carlson grew up on a sheep ranch in Yorkville, a hardy town in Mendocino County's Anderson Valley. His love of the natural world and of working outdoors led him to become a leading North Bay land surveyor. After settling in Sonoma County, he became a force in local, regional and national services and activities of the Exchange Club.
Ray and his wife, Linda, are stalwarts of the Exchange Club of Santa Rosa, and also partners with noted vintners John and Terri Balletto in a premium Russian River Valley vineyard.