Ryan Townsley
American financial planner
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ryan Eric Townsley is an American financial planner based in Bel Air, Maryland. He is the founder and president of Town Capital, an investment advisory firm established in 2018.[1][2]
Early life and education
Ryan was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He lived in several areas surrounding Baltimore, but most notably Dundalk where he attended Patapsco High School. He holds a bachelor's degree in nuclear engineering technology from Thomas Edison University and an MBA from Towson University.
Career
Nuclear power career
Before entering financial services, Townsley worked in nuclear power. He served in the United States Naval Nuclear Program as an Engineering Laboratory Technician and Machinist's Mate from 2003 to 2009. He was stationed in Charleston, SC at Naval Nuclear Power School from 2003 to 2005, and later served on aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman. During Hurricane Katrina, he was deployed for humanitarian relief efforts. In 2008, he was deployed to the Persian Gulf for Operation Enduring Freedom. He was one of only a small number of sailors to qualify Propulsion Plant Watch Supervisor on an aircraft carrier as an E-5. He is the recipient of two Navy Achievement Medals.[3][4]
Ryan worked in commercial nuclear power in various roles from 2009 to 2021. He received a Senior Reactor Operator License from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission while working at Peach Bottom Nuclear Generating Station.
Financial planning career
In 2018, Townsley was briefly registered with Edward Jones before founding Town Capital later that year.[1] He is a Certified Financial Planner[5], Tax Planning Certified Professional, Certified Private Wealth Advisor, and Retirement Income Certified Professional.[5][5][5]
Townsley serves on the Journal of Financial Planning Editorial Advisory Board of the Financial Planning Association.[6] He has been a professor in Towson University's business department since 2025.[1]
Townsley is featured and interviewed on the Featured on the Kitces Financial Advisor Success Podcast[4], The Efficient Advisor: Tactical Business Advice for Financial Planners with Libby Greiwe[7], and the TV Show Cow Guy Close hosted by Fox News contributor Scott Shellady as a Nuclear Power Expert.[8][9]
Townsley was named Top 100 Advisers in the US by ETF.com[10] and Best Financial Planners in the US by Investment News.[11]
Philanthropy
Ryan is on the grant committee and a supporter of the Harford County Community Foundations. He also supports Albert P. Close Foundation, the Harford County 4H program, and other various addiction and veteran related causes.[12]