A Career Dedicated to Public Service and our Community
Ryan has built a career around keeping our communities safe, orderly, and fair. Previously serving as a Code Enforcement Officer for the Belgrade Police Department, Ryan worked daily to address local concerns, solve problems on the ground, and maintain the standards that make our neighborhoods great places to live.
In his previous role as a Pretrial Officer, part of his job involved conducting thorough background investigations. That work taught him the importance of looking closely at the facts, asking the right questions, and making impartial, informed decisions. Those are exactly the kinds of skills needed as a County Commissioner to manage our region's complex growth and budget.
When Ryan is not working for the community, his world revolves around his family. Ryan’s wife, JaNaie’, their four kids, and dog, Rio, are his biggest motivators. Whether they are exploring the valley, getting involved in local events, or just spending time together here in Belgrade, they remind Ryan every day why the future of Gallatin County is worth working for.
Ryan has a diverse background of education and careers, providing him experience and situations to be a Commissioner for Gallatin County.
Graduate of The Citadel- The Military College of South Carolina
Degree in Political Science; Law & Legal Studies
Served as a Program Analyst with Dept of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate
Park County Detention Officer
Firefighter with Bridger Canyon Fire Department
Gallatin County Pretrial Officer
Code Enforcement and Animal Control Officer for Belgrade Police Department
Your Questions, Answered
What are your greatest strengths as a candidate?
1
I’m not a career politician; I’m a regular guy raising a family, who’s career in public safety has shown me first hand how government policies hit the ground and affect our daily lives. Because of that, I bring a practical, detail oriented approach to the table; backed by frontline experience at both the Federal and local level. My goal is to work alongside the other Commissioners and County leaders to find smart, efficient solutions to the challenges our county faces, ensuring we make the most of our tax dollars while supporting the folks who live and work here.
How do you view the role of a County Commissioner?
2
The Commission’s job is to keep the county running smoothly and provide the services we all rely on to feel safe and secure in our daily lives. Having worked directly inside these local government systems, I know the difference between a policy that looks good on paper and one that actually works in the community. I’m ready to hit the ground running, keeping the doors open, giving people honest answers and making sure the county is accountable to its residents.
How will you handle the rapid growth in our area?
3
We all see the growth happening around us, and we know we can’t just hit pause on it. But we have to manage it responsibly. The Commission has been doing important work updating our county’s land use and zoning policies, and I want to collaborate with them to carry that work forward. My focus is on encouraging smart development where our roads and infrastructure can actually support it, rather than letting reckless sprawl chew up our open space and agricultural land.
What does it mean when you say you are a neighbor first advocate?
4
It means the first question I ask when looking at an issue is always going to be; how does this affect my neighbors? Before we make decisions, I want to look at the fiscal and community impacts so we don’t accidentally burden the hardworking families that make this county great. Local government shouldn’t make life harder; it should work for the people who actually live here.