Aaron Ray Tompkins hails from Ennice, North Carolina and is a Virginia Tech dairy science graduate who has been deeply involved in the dairy industry since childhood. As a youth, he was a Holstein Distinguished Junior Member and at Virginia Tech he was on the dairy judging team and a member of Alpha Gamma Rho, where he serves on the Alumni Board. Aaron Ray was an ag teacher for seven years and has also worked in extension. He and another individual started Cowbuyer over 15 years ago and continue to market cattle globally. Under the prefix of NC-MTN Cattle Co. he had the second highest BAA in 2024 for the Southeast.

Aaron Ray feels junior programs are crucial in developing future leaders because they provide opportunities and educational experiences. When he was eight years old his county extension agent, Bob Edwards, told him that a cow could take you anywhere you wanted to go. Aaron Ray believes that there are lifelong skills that can be utilized from each experience and valued relationships that will last a lifetime.