About Ryan
34 years old. Married since August 31, 2017. Two cats. Based in Nashville, TN — music is a big part of my life and this city suits me well. Outside of work I cook, hike, camp, handle all my own car maintenance, and have a deep appreciation for Ghost.
"Design isn't just what I do for a living — it's how I think. From building PCs for neighbors at 13 to shipping products used by millions at Hertz, every step of my career has been driven by the same instinct: make it work better for the person using it.
Younger Years
I grew up in Waterbury, CT. We had a lot of technology at home, but I craved more, so I'd have my parents drop me off at a local cyber cafe just to get time on the best computer possible. By 13, I was building custom PCs for neighbors out of old and discarded parts — and the part I enjoyed most wasn't the build itself, it was setting everything up so the person could find what they needed quickly and easily. That was my first instinct toward user experience design, even if I had no idea what to call it at the time.
In high school I shifted toward graphic design and taught myself the Adobe Suite. I picked up part-time work designing logos, vinyl vehicle wraps, t-shirts, business cards, signage, and more. I also spent a good chunk of those years working in pizzerias — including one called My Father's Place, which made for some genuinely confusing conversations when people asked where I worked.
College
I attended Florida Gulf Coast University and made the most of every minute. I worked full-time for the university's web department from 9am to 5pm, then went straight to class from 5:30 to 10pm Monday through Thursday. Somewhere in the middle of that schedule I met my wife. Worth every late night.
Atilus
Right after graduation I joined Atilus, a web design and digital marketing agency in Bonita Springs, FL. Over five years I grew from designer to team lead, supervising staff while managing design, development, and client relationships across a wide range of industries. It was the foundation that shaped how I approach every project — not just how something looks, but how it works for the person using it.
Hertz Global Holdings
I spent nearly six years at Hertz as a Sr. UX/UI Designer, leading design across Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty worldwide. I shipped work with a fantastic team that moved tens of millions in revenue, helped get over 100,000 customers through a fully self-service rental pickup experience, and built interfaces that touched millions of renters across all three brands. It was the kind of scale that sharpens you fast.
CPI Security
At CPI Security I was brought in as Sr. UX Designer to rebuild their entire customer-facing website from the ground up. In roughly three to four months I designed, developed, and launched a new site that drove a 60% increase in monthly commercial leads and cut page load times by 78%. I also contributed UX improvements to their mobile app and am currently designing and building a new eCommerce platform to bring CPI's sales experience fully online.
So what's next?
I bring energy, focus, and a genuine investment in the work I do — for the people using the product and the business behind it. If you're building something and need a designer who can think strategically and execute with precision, I'd love to help it grow.