Matthew Ryan serves as CEO and board member with Traffic & Mobility Consultants (TMC), which delivers advanced transportation engineering and planning services. His Orlando-based company employs leading-edge technologies for roadway design, traffic engineering, and transportation planning that ensure safe and optimal driver experiences.
Mr. Ryan previously served as CEO and Board Chair with S&ME, Inc., which excelled in construction services, civil, environmental, and geotechnical engineering solutions. Working with clients in areas such as transportation, energy, and manufacturing, he oversaw operations in 10 states across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions. He has also served as HDR’s Executive Vice President and Director of Professional Services, delivering solutions in functional areas such as project management, organizational development, and technology.
Mr. Ryan is a graduate of George Mason University, where he earned BS and MBA degrees in Finance. Active in his professional community, he is a member of the Design Professionals Coalition and co-chairs the organization’s Programs Committee. He is also active with ESOP, S Corporations of America.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I wake up before 6 am and prioritize my day with exercise first with my family to “get the blood flowing” and set my intentions for the day. I read a “daily reflection” to ensure a positive mental disposition to the day and give thanks for the day.
I prioritize my calendar and think, “what’s the one thing that I need to get done today that will have the biggest, positive impact for my family, clients, and community?” and then I get that done before lunchtime.
I make time to genuinely connect with my family, friends, colleagues, clients, and neighbors frequently.
I lead a wonderful company, so my workday involves business strategy, execution of business priorities, and as much client contact as I can have during the day.
I often try to eat dinner before 7 pm and then take a walk to end my day. I read or listen to a podcast before I go to bed. Generally, by 11 pm.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I enjoy setting lofty, but achievable goals and enjoy working with a team to accomplish what needs to get done. Being a creative person, I often write down many ideas on my iPad, share them with my team, prioritize what ideas make sense, and then leverage the talents of the team to turn ideas into action.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I always enjoy better understanding how technology can help us achieve more and better. I am in the infrastructure (particularly transportation) industry, so technology is all around us in the movement of people and goods.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Truly engaging with my family and team and making the most of the time we have together.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Put yourself on the list! You do a lot for others…make time to do things for yourself…even if those things are doing nothing at all!
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on.
That dogs really do understand what we are saying!
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Move! I do believe that motion and activity are super positive for your physical well-being and mental outlook. Take a walk, hit the gym, play pickleball, keep movement fun! This will help you live a healthy life.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Gear down, refocus, prioritize, and focus on the main thing, not all things. We all become overwhelmed at times, so “gear down,” exhale, and do the best you can.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Know who you are and who you are not. Play to your strengths and weave together the strengths of others. Have an ownership mentality.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
We lost a major, game-changing business opportunity because we did not consider all factors in those making the decision. I am now even more detail-oriented because of that experience.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
OneNote is my go-to app to help me organize and execute my day.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
On a vacation to Iceland…an amazing place!
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I do think that Good to Great has a lot of business value. Also, I want to live to be at least 100 years old, so Outlive is also a great book.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I am not a “binger” by nature, but I just binge-watched Landman. I could not look away from Billy Bob Thornton. One season, very well written, and very educational about how oil is so intertwined with the way we all live.
Key learnings
- Self-awareness is a great skill that we can all continue to learn and improve upon. Being aware of your tendencies, preferences, strengths, and weaknesses provide wonderful opportunities for continuous learning and self-improvement.
- Be yourself! Be true to who you are, not to what others think you should be.
- Stay positive! We face many challenges in life that test our will, our empathy, and our own confidence.