Throughout her career, Stephanie Ray, PE, has been driven by one goal: helping communities succeed.
Raised in Yakima, Stephanie grew up in a family deeply involved in construction and land development. Her father’s side of the family worked in construction, while her mother’s side owned businesses and developed industrial properties. From an early age, she spent time on project sites, around heavy equipment, and watching firsthand how communities are built and improved.
Engineering was a clear fit.
“It felt like the right thing to do,” Stephanie says. “My path in engineering really took a natural approach based on my family history.”
Today, after more than 20 years in the industry and nearly two decades serving Central Washington communities, Stephanie has joined Century West Engineering, bringing extensive experience in municipal engineering, aviation, funding strategy, and economic development.
A Passion for Community Impact
After graduating from Gonzaga University, Stephanie began her career working on large-scale private development projects throughout the western United States, including commercial and residential developments in Washington, California, and Arizona.
While those projects provided valuable experience, it wasn’t until she returned home to Central Washington and began working with public agencies that she found her true passion.
“Smaller cities, it’s so difficult to get money to do anything,” she says. “When you’re able to prepare that funding application, get that funding award, and benefit the city, that’s the most rewarding.”
Throughout her career, she has worked on everything from water and sewer improvements to transportation and aviation projects, helping communities address both immediate needs and long-term goals.
For Stephanie, the most meaningful part of the work is seeing the direct impact those projects have on the communities she serves.
“There’s nothing better than getting funding, doing that project, and working in a community where I’m going to use it, my family’s going to use it, and my next-door neighbor is going to use it,” she says. “The community impact is immediate.”
Understanding the Needs of Rural Communities
One of Century West’s greatest strengths is its long history of serving rural and small communities throughout the Pacific Northwest. That’s a mission Stephanie strongly believes in.
While larger cities often have dedicated engineering staff and extensive resources, many smaller communities operate with lean teams focused on keeping essential services running day to day.
“Where Century West comes in is helping communities think beyond what’s happening today,” Stephanie says. “What should we be planning for five years from now? How do we prepare for what’s next?”
That long-term perspective is especially valuable in Central Washington, where many communities face growing needs while balancing limited resources.
According to Stephanie, one of the biggest challenges local agencies face is not simply finding funding, but making smart decisions about how to invest those dollars.
“Engineering, construction, even planning, it’s all expensive,” she says. “It’s not just about getting money. It’s about being smart about how you use it and making sure those systems can be maintained in the future.”
Supporting Growth Through Infrastructure
Throughout Central Washington, communities continue to invest in transportation systems, utilities, airports, and public facilities that support economic development, job creation, and long-term sustainability.
Stephanie sees engineering as an important bridge between community goals and project delivery.
“We’re not the economic development entity,” she explains. “But we work closely with those groups to understand what they need, identify infrastructure requirements, find funding opportunities, and help move projects forward.”
That experience includes helping communities secure funding for critical projects, including improvements at the Port of Sunnyside’s Midvale Industrial Park, where she helped secure more than $11 million in loans and grants to support industrial growth and development.
Her background spans municipal engineering, economic development, and aviation, giving her a unique perspective on how community investments work together to support growth.
“When you combine aviation, municipal infrastructure, and economic development, it’s all connected,” she says. “It’s all necessary infrastructure.”
Bringing Expanded Resources to Central Washington
Stephanie was drawn to Century West by the opportunity to continue serving municipal clients while expanding her work in aviation, a field she has been passionate about throughout her career.
She was also impressed by Century West’s depth of expertise and multidisciplinary approach.
From municipal engineering and aviation planning to site development, funding assistance, and in-house electrical engineering, Century West provides a broad range of services that allow communities to work with a single, collaborative team.
“Rural communities are looking for a company that has a broad range of services,” Stephanie says. “The more we can offer in-house, the less they have to do to find and manage a team.”
That includes electrical engineering, an increasingly important resource that can be difficult to find in parts of Central and Eastern Washington.
“Electrical engineering is in demand, especially in Central Washington,” she says. “Having that expertise available and being able to collaborate directly with those professionals is huge.”
She also sees significant value in Century West’s depth of staff and collaborative culture. Communities aren’t dependent on a single individual. Instead, they have access to a team of professionals ready to support their needs.
Looking Ahead
As Century West continues to grow its presence in Central Washington, Stephanie is excited to help communities navigate challenges, pursue opportunities, and build for the future.
“I’d like communities to know that Century West brings a team capable of supporting the needs of rural and agricultural communities throughout Central Washington,” she says. “We’re responsive, we’re available, and we’re ready to help.”
With deep roots in the region and a career dedicated to helping communities grow and thrive, Stephanie brings both local knowledge and broad experience to Century West’s Central Washington team. As communities across the region continue to invest in their future, she’s excited to help them turn their goals into reality.