Sensei Ray Bovaird was born in 1966 and grew up in Findlay, Ohio.  He began his training in Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu karate at the American Karate Academy (Papa Paul’s dojo in Columbus, Ohio) and studied there from 1986-89. In 1989, he moved to Seattle for work and trained in Shobayashi Shorin-ryu karate.  He received his black belt in Shobayashi Shorin-ryu in 1994 from Kyoshi Jerry Gould.  In 1995, Mr. Bovaird returned to Ohio and trained with Papa Jules Pommier, where he was awarded the rank of Nidan in Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu.  In 2007, he began training with Dai Sempai Karl Gruber, a student of Papa Jules Pommier, at his new dojo, the Academy of Shorin-ryu karate in Hudson, Ohio.  In December of 2007, he was promoted to Sandan in Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu and received his instructor certification by Papa Paul Keller.  He was most recently promoted to Yondan in Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu in May of 2011 by Mike Hixon and Papa Paul.  In addition, Mr. Bovaird has trained in jujitsu.  He is also a certified group fitness instructor through the AFAA and is first aid and CPR certified.

Mr. Bovaird lives in Hudson, Ohio with his wife Lorie and children, Aaron and Allison.  Both Aaron and Allison train with their father at the Academy of Shorin-ryu Karate.  Mr. Bovaird graduated from Purdue University with a BS in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering and also has an MBA from the University of Washington.  He currently works as Principal Reliability Engineer at Moen Inc.  He is an elder in his church and is an active fitness enthusiast who enjoys running several ultra-marathons each year.