Originally published on October 01, 2019.
Following his SUU graduation, Ryan Griffith was encouraged to apply for an entry level job at Quicken Loans. When he interviewed and saw the TVs and Fathead wall graphics, and felt the energy of a collaborative work environment, he knew he had found his perfect workplace.
He landed that job, learned the business, worked hard, was named a 2018 top sales director, and was promoted to regional vice president of mortgage banking at Quicken Loan's downtown Phoenix office.
Ryan oversees mortgage banking in the area and develops the company's youngest and newest leaders for future roles in running successful sales teams. He also ensures that his employees protect the reputation and culture of the company as it relates to client service and satisfaction. That's not an easy feat in an operation that employs nearly 1,200 people.
He credits SUU for helping him hone effective time management skills, as he learned to balance the demands of his education and the rigors of being a wide receiver on the Thunderbird football team.
"A huge part of business is starting something and seeing it through to the finish. Starting and finishing college is very similar: doing whatever it takes to get the job done and accomplishing something you set out to do," he says.
SUU also taught Ryan how to interact and communicate with different personalities, and he points to being part of a 70-member football team as an example. He says such teamwork skills might be the strongest attribute of a successful business leader.
"It's really easy in life to get along with people who are just like you," he says, "but what separates people is the ability to communicate with anyone."
The Hemet, California, native and his wife Hannah now live in Scottsdale, Arizona, and are expecting their first baby in December. Ryan is an avid golfer, and enjoys traveling, especially when he can attend a sporting event. Ryan was an athletic training major at SUU.
