Ray Blacksmith joined Cameratta in 1990 to oversee engineering and construction. His position quickly evolved to include assisting in selection of new projects, pre-acquisition due diligence, conceptual land planning, development cost estimation, project team selection and acting as liason between the company and the project engineers, architects, contractors and other professional services. In 1995, Blacksmith was named President of Cameratta Properties. Blacksmith and CP founder Joe Cameratta have personally handled the governmental presentations and approvals of all Cameratta Properties developments.

Prior to joining CP, Blacksmith was the chief draftsman, designer and land planner for a civil engineering firm that consulted with various municipalities around northeast Ohio.

In 1996 Blacksmith received a Resolution of Appreciation from the City of Broadview Heights, Ohio for his involvement in 'Task Force 21', a resident member committee formed to analyze the future development potential of the city. He was later appointed to a seat on that city's City Council and subsequently won election to the seat for additional terms.