Ryan Martin, Patch Staff

Ryan Martin started pursuing a career in journalism because he loves writing, but he stayed with it because he loves people. He grew up in Goreville, Ill., a town with a population of 800 people southeast of St. Louis.

After earning his associate's degree from a local community college, Ryan continued his coursework at the University of Missouri. He earned a bachelor's degree in journalism with an emphasis in converged media in May 2010. He's currently pursuing an MBA at Washington University in St. Louis.

Ryan started working for Patch in August 2010, when he began the process of launching Maplewood-Brentwood Patch, the first St. Louis-area Patch site. That site went live in October 2010.

Ryan also has experience working as a multimedia intern for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and as a city and county government reporter for the Columbia Missourian.

Ryan loves to read fantasy novels, play Ultimate Frisbee and watch sports. He lives in Maplewood with his girlfriend Gwen and their two dogs.