People You Should Know: Raymond T. Nunnelly

Human Resource/Retail Facility Director, Les Bourgeois Winery and Bistro;

Founder, Curtis Bourgeois; CEO, Curtis Bourgeois Jr.

AGE: 50 | YEARS LIVED IN MID-MISSOURI: 45 years | ORIGINAL HOMETOWN: Columbia

JOB DESCRIPTION: Develop the human resource management and personnel; instill the culture and tradition, education, training and development companywide; oversee the retail facilities, bistro, catering and A-frame revenue centers
EDUCATION: Mary and Raymond (parents), Columbia Public Schools, Missouri Western University, Columbia College, Lincoln University (studied business and education)
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Current president of the Columbia/Mid-Missouri chapter of the Missouri Restaurant Association, current member of the MRA state board of directors, mentor for local youths, active with Columbia Area Career Center Culinary Arts Program, promote the Taste of Mid Missouri to raise scholarships for University of Missouri hotel and restaurant management students
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND: I spent 15 years with Columbia Public Schools as a home-school coordinator/educator and athletic coach. My function was to bridge the gap in communications between the parents, administration and staff and facilitate direct and positive feedback for the growth of students with their parents or guardians. I coached football, basketball and golf at Rock Bridge and Jefferson Jr. High School. Currently, I have the best position in the county at Les Bourgeois Vineyard and Bistro, high on the bluff top in Rocheport. I have been in this position for five years and counting.
A COLUMBIA BUSINESSPERSON I ADMIRE AND WHY: I admire most business owners who put others before themselves, and I respect the small family business owners who have passed their trade and profession to the next generation, such as Richard and Martha Head (Head Motor Company), Richard Walls (Boone Tavern, Heidelberg, Sir Winston) and Curtis Bourgeois, founder of Les Bourgeois Vineyard.
WHY I’M PASSIONATE ABOUT MY JOB: Our location at Les Bourgeois is second to none. The winery/bistro is unique, and the diverse culture and atmosphere set our company apart from the others. We all have a sense of ownership, which makes for a pleasant and professional work environment. Being in the position of offering employment and hope is wonderful.
IF I WEREN’T DOING THIS FOR A LIVING, I WOULD: Be developing programs for school to careers for our local youth, working with families to improve their housing and create avenues for those who want to invest in inexpensive and energy-conscious do-it-yourself projects, doing career placement for minorities who pursue the hospitality industry, developing a networking system for future professionals in construction and labor and/or being a craftsman apprentice to learn and teach the art of woodworking.
BIGGEST CAREER OBSTACLE I’VE OVERCOME AND HOW: Les Bourgeois is the third-largest winery in Missouri. It is challenging developing a networking system for minorities working in this industry. Being involved with MRA and Columbia Public Schools has made this transition possible because of the extremely intelligent people who have crossed my path.
A FAVORITE RECENT PROJECT: Building a woodworking shop. It’s a place on my property where I can express myself.
WHAT PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THIS PROFESSION: The hospitality and service industry is very gratifying. The willingness to assist our guests with sincerity should be natural and fluid. Learn from the bottom up, and understand that the experiences you have with treating people comfortably will dictate the amount of success you have in the future.
WHAT I DO FOR FUN: Water sports, horseback riding and training, motorcycle rides, attending professional sports, music concerts (jazz and Blues), pottery, fishing with my brothers and friends
FAMILY: Parents, who reside in Columbia; sister Pam, who lives in Columbia and works as an educator; brother Rickey, who lives in Birmingham, Ala., and is in the plastic industry; brother Ron, who is an educator and lives in Santa Fe, N.M., with his wife, Laura, and daughter, Anisha; my wonderful wife, Shellee, to whom I have been married for 19 years; also, six horses and two dogs, Bailey and Guenther
FAVORITE PLACE IN COLUMBIA: My parents’ dinner table. My folks are excellent cooks and conversationalists. I love their energy and wisdom. When my entire family is present and enjoying one other, I know then that I’m truly blessed.
ACCOMPLISHMENT I’M MOST PROUD OF: Being a good son and husband as well as a loyal friend; being an integral part in the development of the MAAC Scholar program for CPS, which prepares African-American students academically for the rigors of higher learning; receiving the Restaurateur Award for Mid-Missouri in 2010; being the first inducted class for the Rock Bridge Athletic Hall of Fame with my brother Ron
MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW THAT I: I’m afraid of heights. I have been hang gliding, parasailing and more, but I still have a high level of anxiety before I attempt those activities.