Founder Profile
Claude Ryan
Last reviewed: October 2026 · By Swet Parvadiya
Who is Claude Ryan?
Claude Ryan is a founder of United Parcel Service, Inc., which was founded in 1907 with James E. Casey.
- Company founded
- United Parcel Service, Inc.
- Founded
- 1907
- Co-founders
- James E. Casey
Background
Claude Ryan was a Seattle friend of Jim Casey and joined him in launching the messenger business.
Founding Story
Claude Ryan co-founded the American Messenger Company with Jim Casey in Seattle in 1907. The two teenagers started with a handful of messengers and a few bicycles, handling errands, deliveries, and telephone-ordered messages before the company shifted its focus to retail package delivery. Claude Ryan was born in 1889.
Sources
This profile does not yet cite a source specific to Claude Ryan. The sources below document the company company rather than the person, so check them against the claims above.
- UPS 2025 Form 10-K (United Parcel Service, Inc.)
- UPS 2Q 2026 earnings release (United Parcel Service, Inc.)