Ryan Welch

Ryan Welch is a partner in FTP’s federal government relations practice. He leads FTP’s appropriations work, working closely with clients across agriculture, transportation, research and development, technology and innovation, energy, natural resources, law enforcement, and homeland security. Ryan brings unparalleled expertise on issues related to the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Prior to joining the firm, Ryan served on the staff of retired U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL), former chairman of the Senate Appropriations, Banking, Intelligence, and Rules Committees. From January 2002 to September 2007, he served as a legislative correspondent, legislative assistant, and legislative director for Senator Shelby. During Ryan’s time in the Senate, he covered a broad portfolio of issues, including agriculture, commerce, energy, environment, education, trade, waterways, law enforcement, homeland security, NASA, FEMA, transportation, science, and natural resources.

As a legislative assistant, Ryan served as the primary staffer on all domestic appropriations issues, which required the evaluation of projects being considered for inclusion in Senator Shelby’s priority list. He has also worked closely with both the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and Senate leadership during the development of key energy legislation, including the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006.

Ryan has been active in the Republican Party and various campaigns at the state and national levels since college. Since 2010, he has served as part of a leadership team of a highly successful volunteer driven Get Out the Vote (GOTV) effort in the state of Ohio. A longtime volunteer and member of the Planning Committee for the YMCA Youth Conference on National Affairs, Ryan is a native of Wetumpka, Alabama, and a graduate of Auburn University, where he studied political science.