Ray Hartjen

Ray Hartjen is a writer and musician who lives in Mission Viejo, California.

In a professional career that has spanned parts of five decades, Ray has pivoted on many occasions, from investment banking to pharmaceuticals, from consumer electronics to SaaS software. One constant throughout his career path, however, has been storytelling.

In the past, Ray has been a frequent source for quotes from the national media on both the consumer electronics and retail industries. Additionally, as a contributor to a number of online outlets and platforms, including his rayhartjen.com site, he has spun his fair share of yarn on topics as far ranging as sports — primarily football, hockey and auto racing — and business, particularly revenue team functions like sales and marketing. Ray’s previous work includes being the coauthor of Immaculate: How the Steelers Saved Pittsburgh (December 2022) and the author of Me, Myself & My Multiple Myeloma (May 2024), both published by Morgan James Publishing and available at all major booksellers. His third book, The Indy 500: A Year-Long Quest to Win the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, will drop at booksellers on May 6, 2025.

Diagnosed with multiple myeloma in March of 2019, Ray is a cancer fighter every day of the week that ends in a ‘y.’ And, with the soundtrack of life playing continuously in his head, Ray also performs and records with his two-piece acoustic band, the Chronic Padres.

A native of Texas, Ray holds an undergraduate degree from Eastern Kentucky University and an MBA from the University of Washington.