Ryan has worked as an independent insurance agent for the last 13 years. In 1995 he received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Viterbo University in La Crosse. He started his insurance career working along side his father Mike Lium, who owned and operated an independent agency that he started in 1968.

As an independent agent, Ryan enjoys working with people and helping them find the best fit for their insurance needs. The lines of business that Ryan writes are auto, home, business, farm, and life & health.

He also has served on the Viterbo University Alumni Board of Directors and was inducted into the Viterbo University Athletics Wall of Fame for his accomplishments in baseball in 2008. He currently serves on the Hamburg-Stark Board of Directors and the Advisory Board of Directors for Wisconsin Mutual.

Ryan, his wife Mary Jo and son Michael reside in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He continues to be very active in the community by coaching flag football, basketball, and baseball at The Boys & Girls Club in La Crosse and still enjoys playing baseball and golf whenever possible.