Blake Ray

Blake Ray was born in the small Midwestern town of Tama, Iowa, with a population nearing 3,000 folks. According to Blake: "There are more cows than people" in his small, Mayberry-like community with one stop light, and one gas station. Just in case you are unable to grasp the rural nature of the town, he lived approximately 45 miles from the nearest McDonald's.

Blake is a product of the Tama County Public School System, where he immersed himself in athletics, as there was literally not much else to do. His favorite sports were football and basketball. Claiming that he "was not great at either", his self-awareness guided him to cast aside visions of one-day turning pro. With the dream of a huge signing bonus from a professional sports organization in his rearview mirror, Blake surveyed the reality of his path in life.

Factory work seemed predestined, with an abundance of family members on both sides employed by the paper mill. Blake instead found the motivation he needed to step outside his comfort zone and apply for college (after being voted by his high school peers to be the most likely person in his class to never leave their small town). Soon after he turned 18, he enrolled at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, where he studied Liberal Arts, got his coaching certificate for high school basketball, and explored the local job market in search of his niche. Ironically, his final position before moving south to Alabama was in a factory that made gas tanks for John Deere tractors.

Cedar Rapids was not going to be his great escape and Blake was keenly aware of the reality of his situation. He had to venture further out, but where? He had vacationed a few times in Gulf Shores and fell in love with the area. He found himself drawn to the coast, with its beautiful scenery, friendly people, and mild winters. It was time to turn the page on the Midwest and start a new chapter with his girlfriend Tiffany in Baldwin County. Upon arrival, he applied for a position at Emerald Greens, an inland condo community with its own 9-hole golf course. He began as a leasing agent and worked his way up to the title of Assistant Leasing Manager.

The condo development was sold nearly 10 years later and the natural progression for Blake seemed to be general real estate sales. The property management world had drawn him out of his shell and prepared him well for success as a real estate agent. Through daily rapport building with visitors to the community, showing vacant rental units, and following up with prospective tenants, Blake was ready to conquer his next chapter as a Realtor. Today, his blue-collar mid-western work ethic serves him well at Jason Will Real Estate, where he is well known for being ready to serve the needs of his clients at a moment's notice, including after hours and holidays!

Blake is downright passionate about helping people. His drive extends well beyond the transaction, as he is not only committed to helping his clients achieve their real estate buying and selling goals, but he's also dedicated to earning lifelong friends in the process. Blake and Tiffany now have a son, Lennox and the trio love spending time together as a family. They enjoy walking in the stillness of the evening around their neighborhood, enjoying relaxing effects of surf and sand, cheering on their Iowa Hawkeyes in the fall and worshiping together at catholic mass on Sundays.