Feb 3, 2021
Tallahassee Fla. — Today, Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced Lieutenant Colonel Ray Mobley, a retired U.S. Army veterinarian and retired Florida A&M University Professor, as the February selection for the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Veteran of the Month.
The Veteran of the Month program, established by Commissioner Fried shortly after taking office, recognizes veterans who have excelled in service to fellow Floridians, and honors the contributions that the men and women in uniform have made to our state.
“It’s my honor to recognize Lieutenant Colonel Ray Mobley as the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ February Veteran of the Month, and to highlight his remarkable career and service particularly during Black History Month,” said Commissioner Fried. “Dr. Mobley’s commitment to Florida’s agricultural community through his post-military service at FDACS and as a Professor at the Florida A&M University Cooperative Extension Program is exceptional. We are proud of Dr. Mobley’s admirable military service and are thankful for his contributions to veterinary medicine and animal science in our state and nation.”
Background: Dr. Ray Mobley is a former U.S. Army veterinarian. He retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1996 after 21 years of service. In the Army, Dr. Mobley provided veterinary care to military working dogs and veterinary care to the pets of military personnel and families. He also served as a staff officer for food procurement at the Defense Personnel Support Center. Additionally, he supervised the food safety and quality assurance program at the installation and district level retiring as District Commander of the Gulf Coast Veterinary District.
Following his retirement from the Army, Dr. Mobley served for four years as a Biological Administrator in the Division of Food Safety at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). At FDACS, he was responsible for training food safety personnel in Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP).
Afterwards he served as an Associate Professor in the FAMU Cooperative Extension Program where he was responsible for providing animal medicine support to community-based clients and also taught in the animal science program. While at FAMU, Dr. Mobley was partially responsible for the establishment of the veterinary technology program. Later, he served as Director of the Cooperative Extension Program. He retired from FAMU as a Full Professor and was awarded Professor Emeritus status in 2015.
Dr. Mobley’s military awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Medal (2nd Award), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2nd Award), and the Joint Meritorious Unit Award. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from the Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU). He earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University and his Master of Public Health from Tulane University.
