Ryan grew up in Port Angeles, Washington, a tight-knit town on the Olympic Peninsula, where his family still lives. Mary’s upbringing was nearly the opposite—sunny Orlando, Florida, with much of her extended family still in Italy, where her mother was born and raised. The two came from different worlds, but both carried a strong sense of family that would guide not only their personal lives but also their business.

Between them, they raised three children—an engineer at Boeing, a daughter currently attending Western Washington University, and their youngest son, now finishing high school. With the last child soon heading off to college, Ryan and Mary are ready to make Scottsdale their permanent home. For the past seven years, they’ve lived part-time in Rio Verde, falling in love with the desert’s hiking trails, mild winters, and welcoming community.

Their professional story begins long before their Arizona chapter. Ryan first entered the insurance world as a Territory Sales Manager, working for Farmers Insurance and later Nationwide Insurance. In that role, he helped identify and mentor individuals ready to open their own agencies. But soon, Ryan realized he didn’t just want to guide others—he wanted to do it himself.

In 2006, with a six-week-old baby in his arms and just two years before the 2008 financial crisis, Ryan launched his own agency back in Washington. The timing was less than ideal. The recession made everything harder, from acquiring clients to keeping the doors open. But Ryan’s work ethic proved relentless—he logged 80-hour weeks, determined not to let the dream collapse.

Then, in 2012, another challenge struck—Ryan went through a divorce. At the time, he had only one part-time employee, and the personal and professional stress could have derailed the business entirely. But perseverance once again became his anchor. Slowly, he rebuilt. And in 2013, when he met Mary, everything began to shift.

Mary brought with her two decades of IT expertise, including years of experience in digital transformation, marketing, and cybersecurity. With her MBA from Rollins College and her sharp technical knowledge, she complemented Ryan’s deep industry background in claims, sales, and litigation. Together, they became the perfect team.

By 2020, Mary officially joined Empire Insurance Brokers, taking the reins of marketing and IT to accelerate growth and modernize operations. Under their leadership, the business expanded significantly, growing to more than 13 offices across the western United States. Empire now offers virtually every kind of insurance—home, auto, landlord, business, and life—everything but health insurance.

What sets Empire apart, however, isn’t just the breadth of services, but the philosophy behind them. With Ryan’s claims and litigation experience, he brings a unique empathy to clients facing challenges, always thinking two steps ahead in how policies play out in real life. Mary, meanwhile, focuses on making the customer experience seamless, convenient, and secure through technology. The result is an agency where expertise meets innovation—without losing the personal touch.

That personal touch extends beyond their clients to the community itself. Ryan and Mary have embedded community giving into Empire’s DNA. Employees are encouraged to participate in local charity events, and the agency donates $10 for every referral to a chosen charity each quarter. In 2026, Phoenix Children’s Hospital will become one of their featured beneficiaries. Empire also supports local events—sometimes even supplying inflatable golf games for attendees—and is exploring adopting a road to contribute directly to their Rio Verde and North Scottsdale neighborhoods.

The road hasn’t always been smooth, but each challenge has shaped the business into what it is today. From surviving the recession to weathering personal hardships, Ryan and Mary’s resilience built a foundation of strength and authenticity. “Ryan has no give up in him,” Mary says proudly, a quality she believes is at the heart of Empire’s growth.

Looking ahead, they’re excited to deepen their engagement in Scottsdale. New technology is being developed to help agents proactively analyze policies and ensure clients’ coverage keeps up with life’s constant changes—whether it’s a remodel, a new driver in the family, or simply increased wildfire exposure.

For Ryan and Mary, success is measured not only in growth and offices but in trust, relationships, and community impact. “We love what we do,” Mary says. “And we’re looking forward to serving Scottsdale and Troon for many years to come.”

And as for life outside of work? They’ll still be hitting the hiking trails, enjoying Rio Verde sunsets, and cheering on their landscaping team, Verde Landscaping—one of their favorite local businesses. After all, even empire-builders need time to enjoy the view.