Team

Family-Owned. Built on Integrity.

ABLE TRADES is led by brothers Rob and Matt Ray. They grew up in New Gloucester, Maine, where their parents still reside. Rob, the oldest, and Matt, the youngest of five, separated by seven years, learned early on the value of hard work and earning their own way.
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Rob got his start delivering newspapers, digging graves, paving, and working on local farms. Matt spent his early years mowing lawns, repairing and reselling bikes and motorcycles, and working at a gas station. These early experiences helped shape their strong work ethic and deep-rooted belief in honesty and responsibility.

After building careers in their respective fields, they began working together in business in 2001, with a shared commitment to doing what’s right—for their customers, their team, and their community.

Robert Ray

Co-Owner

Robert (Rob) Ray is co-owner of ABLE TRADES and has been building businesses alongside his brother Matthew since 2001. With over 25 years of experience in real estate investment, construction, and property management, Rob brings vision, leadership, and a strong relational approach to every endeavor.

Rob is a natural strategist and organizer, known for setting direction, building relationships, and helping move ideas into action. He is deeply committed to doing business with integrity—following through on commitments and creating long-term value for customers, partners, and the community.

His vision for ABLE TRADES is to build a company known for dependable service, honest work, craftsmanship, and strong leadership—one that not only serves customers well but also provides meaningful opportunities and a strong future for the people within it.

Rooted in Maine, Rob values the relationships and communities that have been built over the years and is committed to continuing that legacy through the businesses he leads.

Rob has been married to his wife Bernice for over 40 years. He holds a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Counseling. Together they have five children and ten grandchildren. Faith, family, and purpose are central to his life and leadership.

Matthew Ray

Co-Owner

Matthew (Matt) Ray is co-owner of ABLE TRADES and has worked alongside his brother Rob since 2001, building businesses centered around real estate, construction, and property services. With over two decades of hands-on experience, Matt brings a practical, results-driven approach grounded in real-world knowledge and execution.

Matt has played a key role in acquiring, renovating, and managing residential and commercial properties, as well as building teams that deliver quality work in the field. He is known for his straightforward style, strong work ethic, and loyalty to both his team and the customers he serves.
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His focus at ABLE TRADES is ensuring work is done right—meeting expectations, solving problems effectively, and delivering results that last. He takes pride in standing behind the work and being someone others can count on.

Matt shares the vision of building a company that provides honest, dependable service while creating opportunities for employees to succeed and provide for their families.

Born and raised in Maine, Matt values hard work, independence, and the opportunity to build something meaningful in the community he calls home. Faith and family are central to his life, and he enjoys spending time with his wife, Kim and their four children, and grandchildren.

Administration & Operations

Kim Ray

Office Manager & Financial Coordinator

Kim Ray supports the administrative and financial operations of ABLE TRADES, working alongside her husband, Matt, and the leadership team. She brings a strong background in office management and bookkeeping, supporting a range of businesses including lead abatement, trades, and real estate investments.

With experience managing financial records for multiple companies, Kim is known for her accuracy, reliability, and steady follow-through. Her work helps ensure the financial side of the business remains organized and dependable, providing a solid foundation for daily operations.

In addition to her administrative role, Kim owns and operates several investment properties, including both long-term rentals and Airbnb units. This hands-on experience gives her a practical understanding of property management and investment strategies.

Kim is conscientious in her work and values supporting the team in a consistent and dependable way. She has been part of the growth of the Ray family businesses over the years and shares in the commitment to serving customers and the community with honesty and integrity.

Faith and family are central to Kim’s life. She is actively involved in her church, volunteering in annual Christmas and Easter productions. She is a proud mother of four and grandmother of eight and enjoys the time she spends with her family.

Carrie Seliano

Operations Manager, Department of Administration

Carrie Seliano supports the day-to-day operations of ABLE TRADES, bringing over 30 years of experience in leadership, customer relations, financial administration, and team development. She has a strong background in managing high-performing teams across multiple retail locations, with a focus on organization, efficiency, and customer service.

Carrie plays a key role in keeping the business running smoothly from administrative coordination and financial processes to supporting system implementation. Her ability to create practical systems and maintain structure helps ensure both the team and customers are well supported.

Known for her positive energy, approachable nature, and humor, Carrie enjoys working with people and is often a welcoming and helpful voice for customers. She values integrity, follow-through, and being available when it matters most, always putting people first in both service and teamwork.

Born and raised in Maine, Carrie enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, reading about history, and watching movies.

Bernice Ray

Director of Strategy & Operations

Bernice Ray supports the strategy, organization, and operations of ABLE TRADES, working closely with her husband Rob and the leadership team to bring structure, clarity, and follow-through across the business.

Bernice brings a strong background in building and leading operations. She was instrumental in the development, growth and success of Central Maine Property Management, where she helped establish systems, processes, and hiring practices from the ground up and served in a leadership role for many years. She still serves there as an overseer.

At ABLE TRADES, she applies that same experience by supporting initiatives such as marketing, hiring, and system implementation, helping move projects forward and strengthen the foundation of the company.

Bernice is known for her attention to detail and her ability to identify what needs to be done and follow through. She values doing things the right way and takes pride in creating structure, consistency, and accountability within a growing organization.

She also brings a strong background in real estate. As a licensed Realtor, she and Rob own and have built and managed rental properties, including Airbnb units, and helped grow Central Maine Property Management into a successful and established company.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Bernice was raised in a hardworking family where responsibility and discipline were part of everyday life. She has carried those values into her work and leadership. She and her husband Rob have been married for over 40 years and have built both a family and multiple businesses together. They have five children and ten grandchildren.

Faith, family, and purposeful work are central to Bernice’s life, and she is committed to helping build businesses that serve both people and community well.

Division Leaders

Peter Swan

Managing Director, Home Building & Remodeling Division

Peter Swan brings over 25 years of hands-on residential construction experience in Maine, including work with established companies as well as running his own construction business. He leads the Building department at ABLE TRADES with a focus on structured planning, disciplined execution, and strong crew leadership.

Peter oversees estimating, scheduling, and on-site project management, maintaining direct involvement throughout each phase of construction. He is known for clear communication, defined expectations, and steady leadership that supports both clients and crews.

With high standards for himself and his crews, Peter takes pride in delivering quality workmanship and ensuring projects are completed the right way. His leadership reflects accountability, consistency, and a commitment to results that stand the test of time.

Outside of work Peter enjoys spending time with his wife, kids and grandchildren. He values his faith and involvement in the local church.

Nick Harrington

Managing Director, Electrical Division

Nick Harrington leads the Electrical Division at ABLE TRADES and brings over 27 years of experience as a Master Electrician. Born and raised in Maine, Nick began his electrical career right out of high school and earned his associate degree from NMTC. His background includes extensive experience in residential and commercial design-build projects, giving him a well-rounded and practical approach to electrical work.

Nick is known for his conscientious attention to detail and commitment to getting the job done right. He oversees estimating, scheduling, and project execution within the electrical department, with a strong focus on quality, safety, and dependable delivery. He takes pride in following through and ensuring each project meets expectations.

For Nick, the most rewarding part of the trade is the people—customers, coworkers, and their families—and seeing a project come together with everyone satisfied at the end.

Outside of work, he enjoys all that Maine has to offer, including hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, hiking, and riding ATVs. He is also a registered Maine Guide.

Brandon Elie

Managing Director, Weatherization Division

Brandon Elie brings over 16 years of experience in the housing field, including more than four years specializing in weatherization. His hands-on expertise, practical approach, and calm, professional demeanor allow him to effectively guide homeowners through improving the comfort and efficiency of their homes.

Brandon is committed to educating customers and helping them make informed decisions that reduce energy costs and protect their hard-earned money. He is known for being easy to work with and his honest conscientiousness earning the trust of the homeowners he works with.

He holds multiple industry certifications, including (BA-T) Building Analyst Technician, (BSP) Building Science Principles, BPI (Building Performance Institute) Certification, Oil Limited Energy Auditor Technician License, and Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Certification.

Outside of work, Brandon enjoys spending time with his family snowboarding, hiking, coastal touring, and exploring Maine’s outdoors. He is actively involved in his community, assisting with and coaching multiple sports for his five sons, and currently serves as a head baseball coach.

Matthew Edwards

Managing Director, Heat Pump Division

Matthew Edwards leads the Heat Pump Division at ABLE TRADES, specializing in high-efficiency systems designed to perform in Maine’s demanding winters. With over four years of HVAC experience and more than a decade in the construction industry, he brings a well-rounded, practical approach to every project.

Matthew is committed to delivering clean, reliable installations that homeowners can depend on for long-term performance. He works closely with customers to ensure each system is properly sized, installed with care, and optimized to take full advantage of available rebates and energy savings. Known for being honest, dependable, and conscientious, Matthew takes pride in doing the job right and standing behind his work.

Outside of work, he enjoys snowboarding with his family in the winter and spending the warmer months working on tractor and carpentry projects at home. He values helping Maine families stay comfortable year-round.

Built on Trust. Focused on People.

At ABLE TRADES, we believe that doing the job right matters - showing up, following through, and standing behind our work.

But more than that, we believe in people.

Our team is made up of individuals we know personally—people who care deeply about their work, their families, and doing what’s right. From Nick, who values time with his family and brings a thoughtful, steady approach to his work, to leaders like Peter, who sets a high standard for excellence and precision, taking pride in building well and leading his team with consistency and accountability. Others, like Matthew and Brandon, have been with us through many seasons, showing loyalty, commitment, and a willingness to grow alongside the business. And team members like Alec, our Electrical Journeyman, who takes pride in his work and wants to provide well for and enjoy time with his family.

We don’t take that lightly. We want to succeed not just as a company, but for the people who make it what it is.

That same care extends to our customers. We are grateful for the trust placed in us and for the many five-star reviews that reflect the experience our team works hard to provide. There is nothing better than hearing that a customer felt taken care of, respected, and pleasantly surprised by the level of service they received.

As a family-owned business rooted in Maine, we are committed to continuing to build something that reflects these values—honest work, dependable service, and a team that genuinely cares about the people they serve.