Our People

Executive Team

Ray Harrigill

President & Founder

Ray is a Mississippi native and a graduate of Millsaps College and the Mississippi College School of Law. He holds an undergraduate degree in business, a Masters of Business Administration, and a Juris Doctorate. Ray began his career in the restaurant business while in school. He was recruited to run a group of restaurants in his last year of law school and completed his degree while running 26 restaurants in three states for Jackies International, Inc. In December of 1996, he left that position to start The Sunray Companies, LLC when he purchased a single restaurant in Jackson, MS.

Over the past 22 years, he has grown The Sunray Companies to over 30 properties that currently include Palm Beach Tan tanning salons, Massage Envy Spas, Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn Express hotels. Along with owning and operating these units, Ray earned his contractor’s license almost 20 years ago, and began building as well. With Ray’s expertise in development, construction and operations, The Sunray Companies is an award-winning operations company that has received over 35 national awards in the past 16 years.

Some of the most prestigious operational awards include: Highest NPS Award for Palm Beach Tan in 2016; Palm Beach Tan Highest Premier Sales of the Year in 2013, 2015 and 2016; Palm Beach Tan Franchisee of the Year in 2007 and 2009; Palm Beach Tan Developer of the Year in 2008 and 2018; Massage Envy One Million Dollar Club for 2012 – 2015; Massage Envy Multi-Unit Franchisee of the Year in 2015; and in 2016 he received Massage Envy’s Momentum Award as well as Franchisee of the Year. In 2006, Ray was named Top 40 Under 40 by the Mississippi Business Journal. Ray also served on MRA’s Board of Directors from 2005 – 2014 and has served on the Massage Envy National Franchise Advisory Board since 2014.  He has served as the NFAB President for the last two years.

“Never confuse motion with action.”

Benjamin Franklin

Monica Harrigill

Managing Member, Co-Founder

Monica, a Mississippi native, is a graduate of Millsaps College and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. In November 2017, Monica graduated with a certificate from the Owner/President Management Program (OPM) at Harvard Business School. OPM is a rigorous, 9-week Executive Education program held over a 3-year period for business owners and entrepreneurs with at least 15 years of management experience and hold a major equity stake in their company.

Monica began her career working for her family as a restaurant manager when she finished college in 1988 at the age of 18. She quickly moved up to multi-unit and multi-concept management ultimately running a conglomerate of restaurants, hotels and convenience stores with up to 70 locations and 1,600 employees as Executive Vice President of Jackies International, Inc. and Certified Hospitality Corp, Inc. for over 20 years. Along with Ray, Monica also founded The Sunray Companies in 1996. In 2017, Monica joined the Sunray leadership team full-time as part of the strategic planning focus for the company. Monica’s expertise in systems, operations, project management and human resource development adds significant depth to the capabilities of The Sunray Companies.

Monica was named to the 50 Leading Business Women in 2003 and the Top 40 under 40 in 2004 by the Mississippi Business Journal. She completed the Emory University IAHI/IHG Leadership Institute in 2007. Monica is also passionate about giving back to the Mississippi community and volunteers time for a variety of Mississippi-based charities and organizations including serving as a Trustee for Millsaps College for 15 years. 

“From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required.”

Luke 12:48

Amber Sukhbaatar

Vice President of Culture & Marketing

A Mississippi resident since the age of six, Amber joined  The Sunray Companies in February 2017. Amber is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and holds an undergraduate degree in journalism (public relations emphasis) and a Master's of Science in Public Relations. She has over 17 years of experience in her prior position as Director of Marketing for a regional hospitality company with a portfolio of over 40 restaurants and hotels employing more than 800 team members.

Amber’s background in public relations, advertising and marketing coupled with her skills in training, guest and employee relations, sales, and event planning adds comprehensive marketing support to assist The Sunray Companies properties in achieving their goals while enriching guest and employee experiences.

Amber enjoys traveling, interior design and volunteering her time in the community.  She currently serves as both PR Chair and Mistletoe Marketplace 2018 Promotions Chair for the Junior League of Jackson. She has held the position of President for the Canton Chamber of Commerce/Main Street Association board of directors for two separate terms. She was also named Top 40 Under 40 by the Mississippi Business Journal in 2006. She and her husband Mike reside in Madison with their two children.

“Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.”

Oprah Winfrey

Amy Hudson

Vice President of Hotel Operations

Amy is a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University, and served in the Louisiana Army National Guard for six years. She has over 16 years of experience in the hotel industry, and began her career with The Sunray Companies as Director of Sales in 2006. Amy’s passion for hospitality and focus on caring for guests is the engine that drives The Sunray Companies’ hotel division.  Amy currently serves as Treasurer of the Louisiana Hotel & Lodging Association; President of the Tangipahoa Parish Hotel & Lodging Association; and is a Board Member of the Tangipahoa Parish Convention & Visitor Bureau.

“There are painters who transform the sun into a yellow spot, but there are others who with the help of their art, and their intelligence, transform a yellow spot into the sun.”

Pablo Picasso

Catherine Sullivan

Vice President of Retail Operations

A graduate of Holmes Community College, Catherine’s journey with The Sunray Companies began in 2006 as a key holder at Palm Beach Tan in Ridgeland. With her passion for operations and training, she quickly moved to general manager and training/development manager for Palm Beach Tan. In 2010, Catherine was promoted to General Manager of Massage Envy in Flowood and then to Senior District Manager for the Massage Envy division in 2011. Catherine was instrumental in the opening of our first seven Massage Envy clinics and was named Supervisor of the Year for 2016. Catherine was promoted to Director of Operations for the Massage Envy division and then to Director of Operations for our Retail Divisions in late 2018. Catherine’s current role allows her to utilize her talents in systems, efficiencies, training and development to create dynamic retail divisions that are results-driven. Catherine resides in Brandon with her husband, Chris, and her two adorable boys, Hayes and Jax.

“Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire.”

Jennifer Lee

Melinda Davis

Director of People & Development

Having lived in Mississippi most of her life, Melinda joined The Sunray Companies in 2006 as part of the Palm Beach Tan division. During her time with Palm Beach Tan, she helped open the Flowood location and also worked at the Hattiesburg salon while attending the University of Southern Mississippi where she earned her Bachelor’s in Social Work. In September 2012, Melinda joined the Massage Envy division and was promoted to General Manager of the Maywood clinic in February 2014. Melinda earned the Massage Envy Top Year-Over-Year Growth Revenue honor in 2014 and was named Sunray Manager of the Year for the Massage Envy division in 2015. Melinda’s continued success with revenue growth and development of her team earned her a promotion to District Manager in August 2017 where she oversaw six Massage Envy clinics. She and her husband welcomed a baby boy to their family in August 2021, and Melinda joined our office team in her new role as Director of People & Development.

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style.”

Maya Angelou

Stephanie Welborn

Accounting & Office Manager

Stephanie is a Mississippi native and joined The Sunray Companies in April of 2016. She is a graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi and she holds a BSBA in Accounting. Stephanie has over fifteen years of accounting experience dealing with various industries including managing her own retail/wholesale company with her husband. Her unique experience as a business owner and extensive background in accounting enhances Sunray’s growing accounting division. Stephanie currently lives in Madison with her husband and her three daughters.

“The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.”

H. Jackson Brown Jr. 

Jayme Mistal, CPA

Director of Accounting & Finance

Justin “Jayme” Mistal, CPA, served as the Director of Accounting and Finance for the Sunray Companies for five years from 2018 until his unexpected passing from a heart attack on February 3, 2023.

Jayme joined the Sunray Companies after working as an auditor for a large regional accounting firm, Haddox Reid . He was a Brandon native and received his accounting degree from Mississippi College in 2010 and his CPA certification in 2014. He was an essential part of the company’s growth over the last five years as he guided the company through two software changes and moved the company to a cloud-based platform. Jayme also systematically improved the company’s financial reporting and analytics as well as seamlessly transitioned the company to a new 401K provider. He was also a vital part of helping the company navigate through the financial aspects of the COVID crisis.  Most recently, Jayme was working on automating data entry. Due to his hard work and dedication to Sunray, Jayme was recognized in 2021 with our Star Performer Award. He was also a member of the executive leadership team and provided input into the company’s operations and growth plans. 

For The Sunray Companies website, Jayme selected his favorite quote as, “A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.” Clearly, through his hard work and the progress he made while working with the company, Jayme turned the challenges he found into opportunities. 

Most importantly, Jayme was loved by his coworkers for his positive spirit and can-do attitude to meet deadlines while maintaining a focus on accuracy. He was a supportive and tireless promoter of his team and frequently said he couldn’t do it without them. Jayme was also a kind and caring person that was interested in the success of everyone around him. He will be missed.

“A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him.”

David Brinkley

Karen Brown

Controller/CPA

Karen is a Mississippi native and is the oldest of three sisters.  Karen is a graduate of Belhaven University with a B.S. in Accounting and a minor in Computer Science.  Karen has over twenty years of controllership experience with an extensive background in “lean manufacturing” and “in-line” processes.  Her experience includes audit, process improvement, and data analytics among other accounting duties.  Karen has held a CPA license in the State of Mississippi since October 2001.  Karen joined Sunray Companies in April 2023 as the Controller/Internal CPA.  Karen enjoys being an active servant leader in her church and community.  She has been married to her husband, Todd, for the past 40 years, and has one son, Craig, and a Doxie named Juno. 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

GALATIANS 5:22-23