Ryan Griffiths
Tell us about your job/research. What kinds of things do you do?
Level-headed, approachable, and exuding an infectious sense of calm and confidence, Ryan Griffiths brings more than two decades of success in IT development and research. He has worked across diverse industries—including banking, telecommunications, and aviation—transforming massive amounts of data into simple, flexible frameworks, and leading the teams that built them. But man can’t live solely in the glow of a monitor. In his off-hours, Ryan enjoys maintaining an extensive collection of vintage motorcycles, bicycles and cars. As far as he’s concerned, grease under the nails is the perfect yin to the digital yang.
What sparked your initial interest in your career?
From a young age, I dreamed of becoming an aircraft pilot. That dream slowly drifted out of reach as I shot up to 6'7"—most airplanes aren't built for tall people. Now, I have the opportunity to pilot an ROV in an environment much more accommodating to someone of my height. I’ve lived next to the ocean my entire life and both love and am fascinated by it. Being an ROV pilot feels like a hybrid of flying and space exploration. This is the realization of a dream I've carried over 30 years.
Who influenced you or encourage you the most?
Josh Chernov—Hercules pilot, biologist, and president of Ocean Dynamics—introduced me to this field. If it weren’t for Josh, I might never have known this kind of work was even possible.
What element of your work/research do you think is the most fascinating?
The ocean never fails to surprise me. During my first hour of flying an ROV, an octopus sprang up to “greet” it. At the time, we were surveying a portion of the Strait of Georgia and expected to see nothing more than mud and trash heaps dumped decades ago.
How did you get involved with the Ocean Exploration Trust?
I have contracted with Ocean Dynamics for many years. Recently, schedules and circumstances aligned, and I was invited to join a voyage on the E/V Nautilus.
What other jobs led you to your current career?
My career to date has been a mix of IT development and hands-on mechanical work. I hope to be a valuable asset when the ROV needs repairs or modifications.
What are your degrees and certifications?
Computing Systems Certificate, Capilano University 1996
What are your hobbies?
I am an avid cyclist who enjoys restoring mechanical things and dabbling in carpentry. I’m really working on improving my skills in the latter.
What advice would you give someone who wants to have a career like yours?
Keep the big picture in mind and be open to new opportunities. Be prepared to zig and zag until you find what's right for you. Most of the work I've done as an adult did not exist when I was school age.
