SASY neighborhood has new president

By Megan Williamson, Schenk-Atwood-Starkweather-Yahara Neighborhood Association

Ray Cruz has been selected to be the new president of the Schenk-Atwood­Starkweather-Yahara Neighborhood Association. Cruz has lived in the neighborhood since 2023. It was also in 2023 that Cruz joined the SASYNA board.

Growing up in Uvalde, Texas, Cruz studied agronomy and soil science at Texas A&M University. As he worked in the agricultural industry, he began overseeing agricultural operations and expansion throughout North America and Canada. Cruz moved to Madison in 2020 to continue that work and now serves as the business manager at Aldo Leopold Nature Center in Monona. He is also vice president of the Lowell Community Organization and sits on the board of directors for Madison Magnet.

Cruz believes small acts of service can create lasting impact.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,” Cruz said about his outlook on life.

In his spare time, you can find him cycling the Isthmus, journaling by the lake, reading, exercising or simply answering to his favorite title — Dad.

Email Cruz at rccruzco@gmail.com about neighborhood happenings or the direction of the community.