St. Stephens High School ROTC Naval Science instructor Ray Cerda said Thursday that he plans to run for Catawba County Clerk of Court.
Cerda, a Republican, will be challenging incumbent Al Jean Bogle, also a Republican.
He said he had been thinking about running for about a year, and wants to help serve a larger group of people.
"I looked at whatever I would do next would be to help the bigger community, not just the St. Stephens community," Cerda said. "The county's growing, and more people need help, and I just feel a sense of duty to help them."
Cerda said he is in a position to do so, and is qualified for the job.
He served in the Navy for 20 years, retiring as master chief petty officer legalman. While in the Navy, Cerda worked as a yeoman for six years, before converting to a legal advocate. Cerda then served as a legalman — similar to a paralegal. He also worked in the Naval Justice Department. Cerda said has experience as a court reporter, legal assistant and assisting sailors with landlord and tenant problems.
He also worked with the Navy-Marine Corps trial judiciary, which is the No. 1 court for the Marine Corps, and presides over courts martial worldwide.
While serving in the Navy, Cerda earned a criminal justice degree. He is currently working on his master's degree in criminal justice from Appalachian State University.
He retired in 1998, and for the past nine years, has worked as a naval science instructor at St. Stephens High School.
Cerda said he teaches his students self-discipline, honesty, citizenship, courage and other core values.
"I'd like to take those same qualifications and take it to the next level," Cerda said. "I have 29 years of public service, and I would like to continue that and bring something new to the office."
Cerda said his years in the Navy have given him a familiarity around judges, prosecutors and defense attorneys. He said his years of teaching will allow him to bring leadership to the position.
"I can find out what the troops need. I'll look at the processes that are in place, and create an employee-centered place," Cerda said. "Happy employees are productive employees, and that will equate to better customer service."
He also wants to bring more technology into the clerk of court's office, beginning with a better Web site.
"The people using the Web is growing and growing," Cerda said. "I believe a Web site where people can download forms and look up forms would help."
And above all, he said the best customer service the office can offer is a smile to those the office is helping.
"As a state employee, it's our job to help the customers," Cerda said.
He said he hopes he's elected to the position because he has the dedication, desire and the qualifications for the job.
"I can bring a new technology perspective, a new voice and a new management perspective," Cerda said. "I will try to do my best to help the citizens."
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