Ryan Kellar is the Director of Threat and Range Modernization at Scientific Research Corporation, where he leads business operations for a portfolio of programs developing radar and electronic warfare products. Since joining SRC in 2022, he has been instrumental in SRC’s Advanced Technology Solutions division’s tremendous growth by capturing new business and customers, developing scalable engineering processes, and improving business efficiency.

Ryan holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering, as well as a master’s in business administration, from the University of Alabama and is a Project Management Professional. Upon relocating to Huntsville in 2009, Ryan gained extensive experience through various engineering and management roles at Dynetics, where he supported the Intelligence Community and Department of Defense in threat analysis and representation.

What do you love most about living and working in Huntsville?

I really appreciate the melting pot that Huntsville represents while also sharing a common thread of innovation and ambition. So many of the professionals that I interact with have relocated to this great city and added to the culture and success of the region. I really enjoy getting new perspectives from those with different backgrounds than my own while sharing a passion for pushing the art of the possible. There is so much energy and innovation in this city that I find inspiring and continually pushes me to be the best version of myself.

What’s your best advice for starting a career in the Rocket City?

Be mindful of your personal brand. Huntsville is a large city but a tight knit community. As you develop your professional career, your reputation will precede you. Those you view as competitors today may be your teammates in the future and vice versa. Always acting ethically and treating your colleagues with respect will open doors in the future.

How do you like to spend your time outside of work?

I enjoy running, playing golf, and just getting outside as much as possible. My wife and I enjoy travelling and try to take a few trips a year to experience different cultures and recharge.

Who has been the biggest influence on your career, and what valuable lesson did they teach you?

I’ve been lucky enough to have worked with a lot of exceptional business and engineering leaders in the Huntsville community throughout my career. I owe a tremendous amount to the impact each of them has had on my career and the professional I am today. The most valuable lesson I’ve learned is that while the technical details and innovation are mandatory, the culture you establish within your organization and relationships you have with your customers are the keys to long-term success.

What is your favorite workday jam?

I tend to listen to instrumental and classical music to help me focus. Recently, Ludovico Einaudi has been in heavy rotation.

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