Biography

State Representative Kevin Ryan is proud to serve the 139th House District. For 2023-2024 legislative session, he was appointed as Assistant Deputy Speaker Pro Tempore. Additionally, he will be a member of the following committees: Environment, Appropriations, Public Health, and Regulations Review. Previously, Kevin served eight years as the House Chairman of the Labor and Public Employees Committee. He also was co-chair of the School Building Subcommittee. Under Speaker Sharkey he had the opportunity to chair the Municipal Organization Regional Efficiencies subcommittees of Education and Municipal Efficiencies.

One of Representative Ryan's top priorities is health care, especially health care for children. He has been a member of the Public Health Committee since 1993. He was a member of the Pilot Studies Committee, which dealt with Children on Medicaid under the Age of 21 and Emergency Medical Services for Children. He was also involved with the Certificate of Need for Health Care Facilities. His concern for the well-being of children continued with a study on the Constitutional Amendment on the Rights of Children. He also served on the Children in the Recession Task Force. He worked for the passage of a bill allowing for the use of medical marijuana by children.

Representative Ryan has been a member of the Appropriations Committee since 1993, has served as a vice–chair as well as having served on many subcommittees; co-chairing the General Government subcommittee, Health and Hospitals subcommittee, Regulation and Protection subcommittee, and Transportation subcommittee. 

Representative Ryan is committed to working on behalf of his residents in the 139th District. He was instrumental in preserving the historic beauty of Bozrah by preventing a quarry from being constructed in the heart of Bozrah.

Kevin is a resident of the Oakdale section of Montville and served on the Montville Board of Education-- six years as its Chairman and one year as its Secretary before being elected to the House of Representatives. He also served on the Montville Public Safety Committee, which works with the correctional centers located in the town. He is currently a member of the Rotary, Elks, and Knights of Columbus. He is a past Chair of the Montville Democratic Town Committee, and he currently serves as a Justice of the Peace. Kevin has also served as President of the Board of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Southeastern Connecticut and served on the Alliance for Living Board of Directors and the Eastern Connecticut Cable TV Advisory Board. He currently chairs the Nuclear Energy Advisory Council.

Having served as a past President and Treasurer of the National Conference of Legislators from Gaming States he now serves as treasurer of the Summit of Rural and Agricultural Leaders. Recently he was elected National Vice Chair of the Council of State of Governments. He attended the Robert J. Thompson Eastern Leadership Academy and is a Tolls Fellow. With NCSL he serves as a member of the Agriculture task force and was a member of the Executive Committee representing CSG/ERC.

Rep. Ryan attended Montville schools until he entered St. John's Junior High School. After graduating from St. Bernard Boys High School, he entered Villanova University where he received a B.A. in English and a B.S. in Biology. He served as a member of the Board of Trustees for Pennsylvania College of Optometry, where he had graduated with a Doctorate in Optometry and a certificate in Public Health. Kevin also received a Master of Arts in Community Psychology from the University of New Haven.

Kevin worked part-time at the Connecticut Visual Health Center in Bridgeport during which time he also worked for Uncas Foods, Inc (a family business). He has been a member of the adjunct faculty at the University of New Haven teaching Physics since 1980. He worked for a number of years for Mobile Medical Testing Service which later became Exemplar Health Services until 2003.

Organization Award Date Received
Alliance for Living Appreciation 2/28/2003
American Diabetes Association Recognition for outreach efforts that have touched the lives of people in communities across CT  
American Heart Association Appreciation for an outstanding effort to create a healthier environment for all residents of CT by helping enact Public Act 03-45 2003
American Lung Association Breath of Life Award for the statewide smoking ban 2002, 2003
Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Appreciation for saving Naval Sub Base in New London 10/20/2005
Chamber of Commerce of South Eastern Connecticut Certificate of Recognition and Appreciation  
Communities Workers of Connecticut Appreciation 11/16/2001
Community Advisory Board of South Eastern Connecticut Mental Health Authority Certificate of Recognition 1996, 2001
Connecticut Association of Optometrists For outstanding leadership in promoting Access to Quality Eye Care for Patients in CT 2000, 2001, 2008
Connecticut Catchment Area Council and Regional Mental Health Board Thanks 5/30/1996
Connecticut Council of Police Unions, AFSCME Council 5 Appreciation for continues support of public safety labor issues 6/15/2006
Connecticut Farm Bureau Legislator of the Year 1999
Connecticut Fire Fighters Association Appreciation 9/20/2008
Connecticut Office of the Treasurer Public Leadership Citation 10/24/2008
Connecticut Psychological Association, Inc Distinguished Legislator Award 1995
Connecticut Secretary of State Public Service Award 5/5/2003
Connecticut State Apprenticeship Council William Fitzgerald Apprenticeship Award  
Covenant Shelter of New London, Inc Appreciation 10/28/2008
Eastern Regional Mental Health Board Appreciation 6/12/1996
Henry Toll Fellowship Program Toll Fellow 10/2/2008
Natchaug Hospital Distinguished Service Award 2002
New London County 4-H Foundation, Inc The Golden Clover Award 12/8/2007
New London County 4-H Foundation, Inc The Clover and Pearl Award 12/2/2006
New London Medical Association Outstanding effort on behalf of patients in 1997 session 9/9/1997
Norwich Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Community Service Award 10/24/2008
Norwich Regional Vocational Technical School Appreciation In Acknowledgement of your contributions and services 4/12/1995
Thames Valley Council for Community Action, Inc. Appreciation 10/20/1995
The ACCESS Agency, Inc Recognition for contributions 6/27/1996
The Connecticut Community Providers Association Champion for Community Providers 2004
The Connecticut Psychological Association Inc Distinguished State Legislator Award 1994
The Eastern Regional Mental Health Board One Man, One Vote Award 6/15/2010
Three Rivers Community Technical College Appreciation 1/11/1998
UConn Advocates Appreciation for commitment to the future of CT, 21st Century UConn 11/2002
Undergraduate Student Government-USG-Uconn Official Commendation for passage of 21st Century UConn 1/28/2003
Uniformed Professional Fire Fighters Association of Connecticut Legislative Award in Grateful Recognition of your work on behalf of professional fire fighter of CT 2003,2005,2009
Working Lands Alliance Appreciation for Public Act 228-05 2004,2005
Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities Appreciation 8/14/1999
 

William Fitzgerald Award

2005
 

Senator Chris J. Dodd Award

6/26/2006