Ryan King, Deputy Commissioner

Ryan King serves as the Deputy Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, a role he assumed in October 2025. In this capacity, he serves as Chief of Staff and helps advance the Department’s mission to support farmers, foresters, and rural communities across the state. His work focuses on strengthening Tennessee’s agricultural economy, promoting innovation, and ensuring that agriculture remains a cornerstone of the state’s prosperity.

A native of Lebanon, Tennessee, Ryan grew up on his family’s beef cattle farm, where he developed a deep appreciation for agriculture, rural life, and the values of hard work and service. He was active in the Wilson Central FFA chapter, earning both his State and American FFA Degrees. Ryan attended Middle Tennessee State University, earning a degree in Agricultural Business with a concentration in Agricultural Education, and later completed a Master of Science in Agricultural Leadership and Communications from the University of Tennessee, where his research focused on rural and agricultural leadership development.

Before joining the Department of Agriculture, Ryan served as Vice President at the Tennessee Electric Cooperative Association, where he led efforts to expand broadband, improve infrastructure, and drive economic growth in rural communities. He also previously served as Vice President of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce and Industry, managing government affairs and policy initiatives at all levels of government. Earlier in his career, he held positions with the Tennessee Farmers Cooperative and the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, experiences that shaped his understanding of agricultural policy and its impact on rural Tennessee.

Ryan is deeply involved in civic and leadership initiatives statewide. He has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Tennessee 4-H Foundation and Leadership Tennessee Class XII. Ryan and his wife, Amy, live in Franklin with their two children, Lincoln and Mary Grace.