RYAN DEBOEF

ryan@hahndeboef.com

Ryan DeBoef is a trusted advisor in Missouri’s public policy and appropriations landscape, known for his strategic judgment, policy depth, and ability to deliver meaningful results in complex environments. With extensive experience leading government relations and operations at Missouri State University, Ryan brings firsthand understanding of how legislative, executive, and budget decisions intersect—and how to position clients effectively within that process. As a partner at Hahn | DeBoef, Ryan helps clients navigate policy, funding, and regulatory challenges with clear strategy, disciplined execution, and credibility built through years of direct engagement with decision-makers.

Clients rely on Ryan for his appropriations expertise, his credibility with policymakers, and his ability to anticipate how policy and budget decisions will evolve.

What Ryan Brings to Clients

Strategic guidance informed by years of direct legislative and executive-branch engagement
Deep relationships with policymakers, agency leaders, and institutional stakeholders
Extensive experience securing and protecting appropriations and funding priorities
Clear, practical advice grounded in real-world political and budget dynamics
A disciplined, solutions-oriented approach to complex policy and regulatory issues
Firsthand experience representing large public institutions with diverse priorities

Areas of Expertise
Appropriations strategy and budget advocacy
Legislative strategy and government relations
Executive-branch engagement and regulatory navigation
Higher education policy and institutional advocacy
Procurement and regulatory strategy
Policy analysis and legislative negotiations
Long-term funding and capital appropriations planning

Professional Background

Ryan served as Chief of Staff at Missouri State University from 2014 to 2022, where he worked closely with university leadership to manage operations, strategic initiatives, and system-wide priorities. He also led the university’s state and federal government relations efforts, developing legislative priorities, advocating directly with policymakers, and managing external lobbying teams.

Under Ryan’s leadership, Missouri State University’s annual operating appropriation increased by more than 30 percent, and the university secured over $130 million in capital appropriations, including the largest capital appropriation package in its history. He led efforts to advance and defend policy legislation affecting higher education, procurement, financial aid, and regulatory operations.

Earlier in his career, Ryan served as legal counsel at Missouri State University, practiced law at Husch Blackwell, and completed a federal judicial clerkship with U.S. District Judge Richard E. Dorr. He graduated first in his class from the University of Missouri School of Law.

Why Clients Trust Ryan

Proven track record securing significant appropriations and policy outcomes
Direct experience representing institutional priorities at the Capitol
Strong credibility with legislative and executive decision-makers
A thoughtful, disciplined approach to complex policy and funding challenges
Recognition as one of Missouri’s most influential public policy professionals

Beyond the Office

Ryan is actively engaged in Missouri’s civic and business community, serving on the Board of Directors for the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry and participating in statewide leadership initiatives. He maintains a residence in Jefferson City during legislative session and lives in Springfield with his wife and family.

EDUCATION:

Bachelor of Science, Summa Cum Laude

Public Administration and Government

Evangel University, 2001

Juris Doctorate, Cum Laude

University of Missouri-Columbia, 2005

Honors include Order of the Coif and Law Review

PUBLICATIONS:

2020 Men of the Year: Ryan DeBoef | Springfield Business Journal (sbj.net)

2019 100 List: Navigators - The Missouri Times