Ray G. and Effie G. Kaufman

Ray G. & Effie G. Kaufman Biography

Ray G. Kaufman graduated from ISU in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in business and 1971 with an MBA. He was an artillery officer in the U.S. Army, served in Vietnam and received numerous military honors, including the Bronze Star. He joined Simplot in 1981 as a director of transportation.
When the company started its Diversified Products Group in 1987 he was its vice president and operations officer. In 1993 he was named group president. He oversees Western Stockman’s feed and animal health products, Simplot AgriSource farm commodities, Simplot Construction, and Transportation Operations’ truck and rail car fleet.
He received ISU’s Professional Achievement Award for the College of Business in part for his work at Simplot, and in part for his considerable public service.
Effie G. Kaufman is a 1966 ISU graduate in elementary education with a minor in English. She was a school teacher in five states before the birth of their three daughters, Kimberly, Deana, and Christin, all now grown. She did volunteer work in the schools the daughters attended and is active in Boise in her church.