Ray H. Herner

Ray H. Herner earned his BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Tech in 1953 and an MS degree in Mechanical Engineering in1954.  Prior to coming to Michigan Tech, Ray attended Lake Superior State University (“Soo Tech”) for two years.  At Tech, Ray received a Teaching Fellowship for Mechanical Engineering.  After graduation he lived and worked in Alpena for 22 years.  His career included working at Abitibi, a wood product plant, where he held the position of mechanical superintendent, at Petch Manufacturing Co., and as general manager at King Valve Co.  He also taught evening courses for eight years at Alpena Community College where he was an adjunct faculty member.  He developed and taught the first engineering courses there, they were all  accredited by Michigan Tech and the University of Michigan.

In 1976 he moved to Ohio to accept the position of vice president and later president of Mosier Industries in Brookfield, Ohio. Mosier Industries Inc is a manufacturer of fluid power cylinders and actuators. He has served on the Board of Directors of Mosier Industries.  While at Mosier, Ray broadened the offerings of the standard product lines and directed the design and startup of a new product line.  He built the company by innovation and solving problems for his customers.  He designed two complete cylinder lines, a complete valve line, and many various applications specific to individual companies.  He retired from Mosier in 1993 but retained his seat on the Board of Directors and held a consulting contract with them until 2002.

When Ray graduated from Michigan Tech, the buzz word was automation.  In the 80s and 90s it became “computers”.  Ray had the opportunity to design devices that successfully interfaced with computer control to increase product production.

Over the years, his career gave him the opportunity to travel to various manufacturing companies and make extensive business contacts throughout the United States, Canada, England, France, Germany, Mexico, and Taiwan.

Ray is an inventor of eight patents; all in the field of fluid power.  Ray has served as an advisory board member at Ohio State University. He has also established the Ray H. Herner Scholarship at Alpena Community College, scholarship that is awarded to students enrolled in pre-engineering with plans to transfer to a 4-year university.

While at Michigan Tech, Ray married his wife LaNora, who passed away in 1988. They have two children, Catherine and Steven.  Catherine has a BS degree in education from Central Michigan University and Steven received his BS degree in criminal justice from Lake Superior State.  His grandson Ken Herner graduated from Michigan Tech in 2008 with a degree in Computer Science.