(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - Oct. 17, 2012) - - - Columbia State Community College has received funding from IndustryBuilt to establish a new scholarship honoring Ray Crews, a food industry expert.

Bethany Lay announced the scholarship this week, noting that IndustryBuilt, a Toronto, Canada, software company, had chosen to honor Crews, who is a Maury County native and an alumnus of Columbia State.

"With more than 35 years in the food industry, it would be hard to find anyone more knowledgeable than Ray Crews," said Marc DiGiorgio, vice president of the JustFoodERP division of IndustryBuilt. "In 2004, Ray Crews made the decision to change business software and take a chance on a relatively new player in the ERP field, JustFoodERP."

At that time Crews was vice president and controller of Dallas-based CF Chefs Inc., andJustFoodERP was an up-and-coming software and services package designer catering to the food industry.

"JustFoodERP's early product success is directly attributable to Ray's dedication and commitment," DiGiorgio said. "He was one of our first members on our Customer Advisory Council. We have valued every minute working with him."

DiGiorgio said the $2,000 annual scholarship is intended as gesture to honor a great customer.

"When JustFoodERP announced at last year's annual user event, their intention to create a scholarship in my name, I was honored," Crews said. "I hope that this award greatly benefits the students of Columbia State Community College."

The scholarship is managed by the Columbia State Community College Foundation. JustFoodERP has specified that it be awarded through a specific process to Information Systems Technology or Business Management majors. Two students have received the scholarship for 2012-2013.

"We hope that the funds can help the next generation of 'Ray Crews' of the world," said DiGiorgio.

For more information about scholarships visit www.columbiastate.edu.