Associate Spotlight: Charles Ryan Associates

A 50-year Legacy with Deep Roots in the Transportation Industry

The year was 1974 and the man was Charlie Ryan. He left a successful career in television to open, what seemed to be at that time, a risky business – a public relations shop with only one employee, himself.

Fifty years later Charles Ryan Associates (CRA) is a women-owned, SWaM-certified, strategic communications firm working for some of the largest brands in the country, with clients spanning more than 30 states in the last several years.

With a specialization in public involvement, CRA founded its transportation practice group more than two decades ago and has worked consistently in the industry ever since.

“We’ve partnered with departments of transportation, engineering firms, public/private partnerships, public education initiatives and more,” said Matt Isner, chief strategy officer and owner, who leads CRA’s transportation practice group.

“We work with clients who know where they want to go communications-wise, but they’re not sure how to get there,” he said.  “We know how to navigate the research, messaging and creative to successfully reach and engage audiences.”

In addition to transportation, CRA focuses on energy, insurance, and education and has been at the forefront of managing the growth in digital communications and storytelling. The team takes traditional communications tactics, transforming and enhancing them to ensure audiences are reached how they are currently consuming media – digitally. Its film division, CRA Film, has produced stories about infrastructure projects, landowner experiences, workforce needs and employee successes.

A proud VTCA associate member, CRA has used its industry and education experience to partner with the organization on the workforce education program Miles Ahead Virginia. For more information about CRA and the team’s experience, visit CharlesRyan.com.