My name is Ryan.

I’m a multimedia communications professional based in Birmingham, Alabama.

What I mean when I say that is I use my skills and experience to communicate, through whatever medium is called for. Through text, visuals, audio or some mixture thereof, I create content. Primarily though, I am a writer.

But you can kick a rock and accidentally hit one of those.

I stand out in three key areas:

1.      Systems Knowledge

When working as a reporter, many develop an obsessive tendency to seek why things happen the way they do, and that was certainly my experience starting at The Birmingham Times straight out of college.

Both while working at the paper and while working in PR for United Way of Central Alabama, one of the largest United Ways in the nation, this curiosity led me to a strong understanding of how local business, government and media interact, and especially how this ecosystem operates in Birmingham.

2.      Passion

Growing up, I was always an indignant person. Every day felt like a new opportunity to find a problem with The Man. Time and a greater propensity to listen to others has worn away the spikes. Today, that means I take my work seriously and use discernment to seek out the taste of someone I believe gets it. Meeting the requirements is the bare minimum, but I like to always ensure that my work passes the test of a respected colleague.

3.      Details

I have a bit of an obsession with the minute. In stories, I’ve been taught that details are what best convey reality, particularly in the subconscious. As a broader creative, I’ve found that the details are where I have the clearest opportunity to learn, where I find the 0.X% improvements I can make to my work. I’m always trying to learn to do something better than I did.

Outside of my professional life, I’m an avid music explorer, enjoyer of both fine and not-so-fine coffee and informal student of how place affects individual outcomes. I also play a lot of Magic: The Gathering.