Ryan’s leadership has always centered on working people and strong local economies. As the son of a union family and a consistent ally of labor, he has worked to strengthen small businesses, expand job opportunities, and ensure that public investments deliver fair wages, good working conditions, and lasting career pathways.

Ryan understands that a healthy local economy is built on the success of workers, small businesses, and families, not just big corporations. His work on the Renton City Council has focused on delivering practical solutions that keep local businesses thriving, connect residents to meaningful job opportunities, and help the community recover and grow in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Here’s what Ryan has accomplished on jobs and the economy:

✅ Directed over $18 million in ARPA (American Rescue Plan) funds to support renters, human services, and small businesses hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic, helping stabilize the local economy.

✅ Voted to allocate $600,000 in small business grants, providing direct support to neighborhood businesses and local entrepreneurs working to rebuild and grow.

✅ Advocated for apprenticeship programs and local hire policies, creating pathways for residents to access good-paying, family-supporting jobs in construction, infrastructure, and public projects.

✅ Worked across sectors to build partnerships between city government, labor unions, small business leaders, and regional stakeholders to strengthen economic opportunity and workforce development.

✅ Championed policies that connect public investment to real community benefit, ensuring that local dollars create jobs, expand opportunity, and deliver lasting value for working families.