David Ray wants to inspire and encourage local students who have considered dropping out of high school.
Ray – co-owner and general manager of Cyber City Circuits located at 1001 Walton Way in Augusta – says many young people tell him they don’t need a diploma to work at McDonald’s. He would like to teach electronics classes to the community to show these students another career option. “All they have to do is graduate,” states the West Columbia native and United States Marine Corps veteran. “They really limit themselves when they don’t.” The business just began offering classes for those who want to pursue electronics as a hobby or learn new skills. On Tuesday, Aug. 10, they offered their first class, which was on soldering. Teens and adults attended the three-hour class, which cost $55. Ray has ideas for future classes, such as an electronics fundamentals class, that would be taught over multiple weeks.
Founded in 2018, Cyber City Circuits manufactures a variety of electronic equipment, such as circuit boards, control systems, hardware, and software for customers throughout the U.S. For example, Chris Williamson – co-owner and director of operations – just completed control systems for an escape room in another state. They also design electronics systems and prototypes for local businesses. The business has completed projects for the Savannah River National Laboratory and Augusta University. Cyber City Circuits has also partnered with Westminster Schools of Augusta to create the electronics package for the school’s robotics program. During the pandemic, they stayed busy by making over 3,000 face shields for CSRA hospitals. “We may not be making it rich yet, but we’re doing some pretty cool things,” says Williamson.
Williamson became Ray’s business partner in 2020. Last May, they were working in a shop in Williamson’s back yard. In July 2020, they moved into a 1,200-square-foot space on 11th Street, and in June 2021, Cyber City Circuits moved into its current 6,000-square-foot location. Including the owners, the business has a total of seven employees.
Ray says he first became interested in electronics in the sixth grade and began reading books on the subject in his school library. After retiring from the Marine Corps, he earned his associate degree in Electronic Engineering Technology from Aiken Technical College. Ray spent several years traveling to cities in Georgia and South Carolina to repair cash registers and moved to Augusta in 2009. He found there were no local companies that manufactured electronics equipment, so he decided to start his own business. Williamson, who worked in machine shops and manufacturing for 15 years before he joined Cyber City Circuits, taught himself how to build electronics systems. He explains they want to raise awareness about the services they provide. “A lot of companies don’t know we exist,” Williamson states.
For more information about the business or the classes they offer, visit cybercitycircuits.com or call 762-222-1691.