Meet the Staff: Ryan Schwertfeger
Name: Ryan Schwertfeger
Position: Manager, Information Technology
When did you join AACE? September 19, 2016
Why do you do what you do, professionally?
To find solutions to help enhance the customer experience.
I graduated from West Virginia University with an Industrial and Management Systems Engineering degree, but I accepted a job in Information Technology with a large IT company right out of college. I ended up working directly with clients in IT services to provide technical support and problem resolution. At the time, I liked the fast pace and challenge that the field presented. The association space is much different than the private sector, but that environment prepared me well for my role at AACE International. I still enjoy the ever-changing IT environment, and I love finding ways to improve the experience for our customers.
What have you learned working at AACE? Or What do you enjoy most about working at AACE?
One of the things that I enjoy most about working at AACE is wearing “multiple hats.” It makes the everyday much more exciting. Information Technology touches all facets of AACE, so my job varies daily. Like any job, there are everyday tasks that need to be done, but I also get to work on different IT related projects throughout the year. There is a lot happening here at AACE, and I’m glad to be a small piece of the puzzle!
Tell us about your interests and family.
I love to golf, play basketball, and I enjoy a good IPA from time to time! I have been married to my lovely wife, Renee, for 20 years, and we have three children and a dog. My oldest, Nathan, is a Senior in high school and will be headed to West Virginia University in the fall to study Management Information Systems. He’s an avid golfer and plans on golfing on the WVU club team. Matthew is a sophomore this year. He loves to run, play guitar, and build things. He started building custom cornhole boards a few years ago. My daughter, Taylor, is in 8th grade. She likes to play just about every sport, but she also loves hanging out with friends. We got a dog, Sophie, about two months before the pandemic. She is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and Poodle mix (Cavapoo). She’s brought nothing but joy to all our lives, and I wish we would have gotten her sooner! Time flies, so enjoy every moment.
2014
2023
Sophie
Nathan during Western PA Golf Championship
Matthew at Pennsylvania 2A State XC Championship
Taylor, 7th Grade Basketball
Fun Fact: During the pandemic, my family took an interest in bird watching. We couldn’t leave the house, so we made the most of it. We have a few bird feeders that we setup in our back yard. We mainly get the common Pennsylvania birds like cardinals, blue jays, goldfinches, and chickadees. However, we’ve also seen rose-breasted grosbeaks, cedar waxwings, scarlet tanagers, and Baltimore orioles. I took the photos below right out of my back window! We also get the occasional black bear looking for a quick snack, so we’ve had to replace a couple feeders already!
