Ray Belanger,
President, Bay Copy
When it comes to being selfless, one would be hard-pressed to find a more shining example than Ray Belanger. Kind and unassuming, the president of Rockland, MA-based Bay Copy would rather tout the performances of his team members as opposed to seeking the limelight for himself.
“There are many of my peers that have had a much bigger impact than I could ever dream to have,” said Belanger, a 2018 ENX Magazine Difference Maker. “I just try to give my best effort and be persistent.”
Knowledge is a driving force in Belanger’s work. He is a founder of the Select Dealer Group, a peer organization that meets three times a year in person to share best practices and the common issues that confront their dealerships. Belanger is also a contributor to numerous publications, including ENX Magazine, touching on a multitude of topics that confront office technology dealerships.
A thoughtful and analytical person, Belanger enjoys tracking the fruits (and challenges) of his company’s efforts. “I enjoy getting to see the direct results of what we do, both good and bad,” he observed. “It’s not always easy, but at least it creates the illusion that you’re in control.”
Bay Copy was launched by Belanger’s father, Ray Sr., in 1972 (“Like a good son, I wanted nothing to do with it,” he quipped). After finishing college and graduate school, Belanger began his career selling for a technology company in the early 1980s. But it wasn’t long until he found his way home to Bay Copy.
Tongue-in-cheek assessment aside, Belanger would certainly find a fountain of knowledge from his father’s wisdom while grabbing bits and nuggets from the many key individuals who crossed his path. It was the elder Belanger who impressed upon him four fundamental mantras: family first, work hard, be persistent and make sure you collect the money.
Most of all, Belanger has learned to trust his instincts and follow his heart. “Don’t let anyone tell you what you can do or not do,” he said. “You decide.”
Belanger is quite proud of how his Bay Copy team responded to its share of adversity and heartbreak in 2017. The team suffered the sudden death of one of its top technicians, which was especially traumatic for a 35-person operation. One of the dealer’s admins successfully completed a round of cancer treatments, and its key dispatcher was out on an extended medical leave. Through it all, Bay Copy came together and performed its largest MPS installation ever, encompassing hundreds of printing units.
Ray Belanger enjoys a competitive run.
In 2018, Belanger is looking forward to considerably less adversity and the continued growth of his MPS business while improving Bay Copy’s overall efficiency. One of the keys to building upon the dealer’s foundation lies in expanding its education and gaining more penetration in vertical markets.
Away from the office, Ray and Sue Belanger have an eventful schedule, with their daughter preparing to be married in Cape Cod this summer. Their son is moving back to the area as well after spending four years in Colorado, which is adding to the excitement to the Belanger household.
A die-hard Boston sports fan, Belanger enjoys keeping himself fit. “I’m a has-been runner and a weekend warrior,” he joked. “I still enjoy doing what I can for exercise and fitness.”
