Ray Steele, Jr., has been publisher and President of The Fresno Bee since July 2001. Mr. Steele grew up in Fresno County and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Fresno, in 1968. He was recognized by the University in 2005 as its outstanding alumnus of the College of Arts and Humanities.
Mr. Steele began his career as a reporter with The Fresno Bee. He held several positions in the Bee’s newsroom. He assumed business management positions at The Sacramento Bee in 1982, and then returned to The Fresno Bee in 1986 as General Manager. In 1993, he was promoted to the company’s corporate office in Sacramento.
Mr. Steele and his wife, Mary Lou, have two grown daughters who live in Fresno, four grandsons and a granddaughter.
Mr. Steele serves on the board of directors of the Fresno Business Council, the Economic Development Corporation of Fresno County, and the Fresno Regional Foundation. He also serves on the board of governors of the California State University, Fresno Foundation.