Ryan grew up in Kent, Washington, and believes no other place in the world compares to the beauty he finds in his home state. Ryan began working in arboriculture 14 years ago as a summer job to save up for college. He was set to go to school to become a doctor but loved being in nature, mountaineering, and climbing trees, and he fell in love with the job. Ryan started Pacific Arboriculture in 2018 and has led it ever since.