Ryan was born in Western Nebraska in the small town of Oshkosh where he lived until joining the United States Army in 1997. During his service Ryan attended Colorado State University where he earned his Bachelors of Arts in Business Administration. After completing his military service, Ryan went into business for himself, owning and operating a number of small businesses and investing in residential real estate in Colorado and Texas. In 2007, Ryan came back home to Nebraska to attend law school.

During his law school tenure, Ryan was a Regents scholar, a member of the Nebraska Law Review, Chair of the Nebraska Moot Court Board, Member of the National Trial Team, College of Law Ambassador, and President of the student chapter of the Nebraska Association of Trial Attorneys. As a law student, Ryan worked as a law clerk for a local law firm practicing in the areas of real estate and construction law. In 2010, Ryan graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Law with High Distinction and was elected by the college faculty to both the Order of the Coif and the Order of the Barristers.

Ryan practices in the areas of general civil litigation, immigration and business law. Ryan is licensed to practice law in the states of Nebraska and Colorado. Ryan is an active volunteer through the Heartland Big Brothers Big Sisters program and enjoys cycling, woodworking, outdoor sports and recreation, and all Husker events.