MEET RYAN

Fighting for the community that raised me

I’m a proud father, husband, union-member, and product of the public education system. Raised by a single mother in South Cheektowaga, I know what it’s like to live paycheck-to-paycheck.

I was the first in my family to attend college and have dedicated my career to opening doors for students who are facing similar challenges—and who need someone to believe in them.

Now, I’m ready to pour my energy into standing up for the community that raised me.

Finally and most importantly: Go Bills.

Growing up in South Cheektowaga

I grew up off Towers Boulevard in the Woodside Apartment Complex in South Cheektowaga. As a child and teenager, I watched my mom battle addiction and work multiple part-time jobs just to keep us afloat. When I started working myself at fifteen, it was not for some extra spending money like so many of my friends. It was because we needed the income to survive.

Losing my biological mother and grandfather within a few years, it was the support of teachers, and my best friend’s family taking me in that helped me through some of the most difficult times in my life.

With the help of my community, I was able to overcome these struggles to become the first in my family to graduate college (SUNY Fredonia). I then went on to complete a Master’s Degree from the University of Buffalo, and am currently finishing my PhD from UB as well. During my time in college, I was honored as a SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence winner and nominated for the Lanford Prize, Fredonia’s highest honor for graduating students. Despite overwhelming personal struggle, I knew how important and valuable my education was to chart a better path for myself, and to inspire the desire to help others.

A life dedicated to service

When I graduated college, I knew I wanted to help students navigate the complex and sometimes overwhelming world of higher education. I started work at the University of Buffalo directly out of school and am now an Assistant Dean for Enrollment Management.

In my tenure at UB, I've exceeded enrollment and revenue goals, supervised teams, managed complex budgets, and navigated state bureaucracy. Through it all, my motivation has remained the same: whether it’s parents returning to school after years away or young people who, like me, are the first in their family to attend college, I take pride in helping students find their fit and develop the tools they need to succeed. For me, it has always been about giving back and making sure future generations of students feel heard and accepted.

Volunteering to help my neighbors

Outside of work, I’ve been an active volunteer my entire life. For seven years, I served as a Big Brother for Big Brother, Big Sisters, a program that helped shape me as a “little” growing up. Today, I volunteer at my two daughters' schools, am active in my union, United University Professionals, was a lead volunteer coordinator at UB for the United Way Day of Caring, and served as a scout leader for two years with Folksy Scouts.

Most recently, I was elected as a trustee for the Lancaster Library Board. I’ve been honored with several local awards for my volunteer and professional work, including Buffalo Business First 30 Under 30, Buffalo Niagara Partnership Spotlight Professional Award, and the SUNY Chancellors Award for Excellence in Professional Service.

Fighting for my community

My wife Holly and I chose to raise our two daughters not far from where I grew up, putting down roots in the village of Lancaster. My story is the American Dream, played out right here in the 143rd District.

Now, it's my turn to fight for the next generation.

My goal and aim for running for assembly is clear: to fight for families and to make sure every single person in the 143rd assembly district has the opportunity to thrive.