Ryan's Biography
I was born in southern Mississippi, before moving to northern Virginia at the age of three, where I spent much of my childhood before my family returned to Mississippi when I was 13 for my father’s career. I was raised with a love for Star Trek: The Next Generation, a passion I shared with my father as we watched it together every night while it was in syndication. Those evenings sparked a lifelong appreciation for the ideals of exploration, teamwork, diversity, and adventure that I feel Star Trek represents. Some of my fondest childhood memories are the Star Trek-themed birthday parties I had, celebrating the universe that captured my imagination… and would hold that imagination throughout my developmental years. After graduating high school, I attended Hinds Community College, where I met my wife, and then transferred to Mississippi State University, earning a Civil Engineering degree with a minor in Mathematics in 2010. My professional journey took me to Houston, TX, for two years before we made our way back to Mississippi in 2012, where we’ve lived ever since.
My STARFLEET journey began at conventions where I met members of the USS New Orleans, who introduced me to the USS Haise in Jackson, MS. After connecting with the crew, I officially joined STARFLEET in October of 2013 onboard the Haise. Shortly thereafter, in March of 2014, I helped organize the Region 2 Summit hosted by the Haise, where I got my first exposure to the Regional and Organizational structure of STARFLEET. To my surprise, I found it remarkably similar to the framework of my college fraternity’s national structure, which immediately felt familiar and engaging.
Later that same year, Region 2 held elections for Regional Coordinator (RC). Although my initial intention was simply to introduce myself to the larger membership and demonstrate my willingness to contribute, circumstances led to my election after a runoff vote. On January 1, 2015, I officially took on the role of RC for Region 2.
Over the next several years, I focused on fostering connections within my region and across the organization. I found my voice on the Admiralty Board, unafraid to represent my region’s interests and champion initiatives with passion and honesty. While I’ll admit I’ve been wrong at times, I’ve always believed in the importance of speaking up, advocating for transparency, and safeguarding STARFLEET from those who may act counter to its values. Many of the major policies and initiatives during that time were either directly written by me or heavily influenced by my efforts to represent the best interests of the membership.
When David Nottage, RC of Region 4, decided to step down and asked me to join him as his candidate for Vice Commander, STARFLEET, I eagerly accepted. David’s friendship has made for a productive partnership in our roles. While we haven’t always agreed, we’ve consistently found common ground and worked together to deliver meaningful results for STARFLEET.
Throughout this Administration, I had a feeling that someone might ask me to run for Commander, STARFLEET but thought to only do so if approached by the “right person”. While I originally planned to step back, let the work David and I accomplished “breathe,” and possibly consider another run for RC in the future, everything changed when Richard Sams approached me. Richard, one of my closest friends and someone whose opinion I deeply value, expressed his belief in the importance of continuing and expanding the work David and I had begun. From that conversation grew our campaign’s theme: Forward, Together.
Our vision is to build upon the foundation we’ve laid during our time as RCs and as CS/VCS. We aim to honor STARFLEET’s history while pushing the organization into an exciting and innovative future – strengthening partnerships with Star Trek rights-holders and offering unique opportunities for members. Together, we can grow this organization exponentially and bring new life to what STARFLEET can offer.
We’re excited about this vision, and we hope you’ll join us on this journey. Let’s move Forward, Together.
Our Personal Questionnaire - Ryan's Responses
What motivated you to seek a leadership role in STARFLEET, and what unique skills do you bring to this position?
What are your top priorities for STARFLEET if elected, and how will you work to achieve them?
- Empowering Chapters
- Enhancing Technology
- Exploring Opportunities
Empowering Recruitment: Expanding the support to our Chapters is a top priority. As former Chapter COs, we are both aware of how much STARFLEET needs strong, vibrant Chapters. An improved, accessible recruitment toolkit is at the top of our list. The current administration has laid the groundwork, but I believe there’s an opportunity to grow these resources exponentially—creating modern, accessible, and eye-catching tools for members to use in their communities.
Enhancing Technology: The Membership Database isn’t where it needs to be, and I intend to make it a primary focus in my first year. I’ve been vocal about this issue at the ECAB level, and I’m determined to see decisions finalized and progress made.
Exploring Licensing Opportunities: While it’s a bold and potentially controversial goal, I believe we need to engage with the rights holders of Star Trek. Gaining official licensing could clarify our position and expand opportunities for the organization. It won’t be easy, but I believe the long-term benefits are worth the effort.
What past experiences within STARFLEET or other organizations have prepared you for this role?
Outside STARFLEET, I’ve been the president of multiple social clubs and currently serve as Province Governor for Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, where I oversee operations for chapters across the state. These experiences have honed my skills in governance, mentorship, and strategic planning.
How do you plan to strengthen communication and engagement with STARFLEET members across all chapters?
While social media platforms like Facebook will remain an important part of our communication strategy, I believe Discord offers a growing avenue for engagement. With its rapid 4:1 growth over Facebook in recent years, it’s clear that members are finding value there, and I want to continue fostering that growth.
What initiatives would you propose to promote member recruitment, retention, and engagement within STARFLEET?
How do you envision the future of STARFLEET, and what steps would you take to adapt to changing needs and interests?
How will you work to improve the inclusivity and diversity within STARFLEET?
As Corporate Secretary, I’ve already worked on translating and adapting STARFLEET resources to be more accessible and inclusive, and I’ll continue collaborating with our Accessibility and Diversity directors to ensure everyone feels represented. Diversity is one of STARFLEET’s greatest strengths, and I’m committed to supporting it in every way possible.
What is your stance on the integration of technology in STARFLEET operations and communications?
How will you support and empower regional leaders and chapters to fulfill their missions effectively?
Recruitment and Growth: Our organization’s longevity depends on sustained growth. I will prioritize equipping leaders with easy-to-use, visually engaging recruitment tools that highlight STARFLEET’s unique opportunities. Expanding upon our branding efforts will also strengthen the visibility and appeal of our chapters.
Community Impact: STARFLEET is at its best when we are doing good in our communities. By amplifying the outreach efforts of our chapters and empowering them to showcase their philanthropic initiatives, we can enhance both STARFLEET’s reputation and our members' pride in their contributions.
What are your ideas for building stronger relationships with external organizations and the broader Star Trek community?
Engagement at Events: Continuing to work alongside other organizations at events, emphasizing a spirit of cooperation over competition.
Collaboration, Not Antagonism: Ensuring STARFLEET maintains professionalism in all interactions. By being transparent and collaborative, we can rebuild trust and open new doors for partnerships.
Amplifying Success Stories: Highlighting the impact STARFLEET chapters have on their communities and showcasing the benefits of collaborating with us.
Though progress may be slow, every step toward stronger relationships will build a better future for STARFLEET and the broader Star Trek community.
How do you see STARFLEET evolving in the next five years, and what role will you play in shaping that vision?
My role will be to champion this vision, laying the groundwork for potential licensing discussions while supporting our chapters in their recruitment and community efforts. If elected, I will continue advocating for the tools, policies, and partnerships that ensure STARFLEET not only grows but thrives as the premier Star Trek fan organization.
What is your approach to handling challenges and conflicts within the organization?
By fostering a culture of civility and constructive dialogue, I aim to resolve conflicts effectively while ensuring all parties feel heard and respected. Ultimately, my focus will remain on what’s best for STARFLEET as a whole, even when tough decisions must be made.
What is the most significant challenge facing STARFLEET today, and how do you intend to address it?
To address this, I will focus on:
- Expanding our recruitment and outreach efforts with modern, visually engaging tools. - Enhancing our online presence and social media strategies to reach a wider audience. - Encouraging chapters to showcase their community impact through local events and media coverage.
By improving how we present ourselves to the world, we can build STARFLEET’s reputation and attract new members.
How will you ensure that all members, regardless of rank or chapter, feel valued and represented?
Every member is part of what makes STARFLEET special, and the goal of any successful administration is to ensure they feel that way.
What would you say to a new member interested in getting more involved within STARFLEET, and how would you support them?
As a shameless plug to current projects I work on (if no current openings align with their interests), I would highlight the incredible opportunities within our Auxiliaries. These groups are brimming with creativity and collaboration and are an excellent way to dive deeper into STARFLEET. Finally, I would ensure they know that leadership is always here to support their journey.