Roy is a native New Mexican from Belen, a rural community 30 miles south of Albuquerque. He attended the University of New Mexico prior to entering the U.S. Army. After his discharge, he attended and graduated from Chaminade University, Honolulu, with a bachelor's degree in business and marketing. He received a master's degree in Public Health Administration and Planning from the University of Hawaii.

He has over 20 years administrative experience in most aspects of healthcare, establishing primary care clinics, occupational medicine clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, state government (workers' compensation medical), national corporations and local not-for-profit health centers.

He was hired as Director of Operations for First Nations in August, 2001. In October, 2001, upon departure of the Executive Director, he was appointed Interim ED by the board of directors.