Meet Updater: Ryan Ellis, Tech Recruiting Lead

By Dawn Macri

Published Oct 18, 2018

Updated Jan 17, 2024

Meet Ryan Ellis, world traveler and Updater’s Tech Recruiting Lead. Fluent in Japanese, and with an affinity for rare beer, Ryan brings a variety of skills and insight to the office. We caught up with him to chat about the ups and downs of moving and what loves most about working at Updater.

Do you have a moving horror story?

I had about 10 days to pack 10 years worth of living in Tokyo and move to CA. I gave most of my stuff away and shoved everything else in boxes. What I didn’t end up shipping I had to ask friends to deal with after I left.

What’s your best piece of moving advice?

Don’t ever attempt it yourself – it’s never worth the cost savings.

How many times have you moved?

Ten times across two countries and five states.

You’re about to move. What would you make sure to never do again?

Try and move a 400-bottle rare beer collection by myself.

What’s your favorite thing about working at Updater?

The people, the open culture, and the impact of my role.

How did you come to work at Updater?

I was looking for a company that had a great culture, a solid business plan, capable leaders, and exciting challenges. I wanted to work somewhere that I could be myself and see the impact of my work as the company grew. Updater checked all those boxes and more.

What’s the best part about working on a small team?

The high level of influence and impact we all have on the future of the company.

What motivates you to come to work every day?

My coworkers. End of story.

You have a time machine, but you can only make one trip. Where do you go?

Hundreds (or thousands) of years into the future.

What’s your favorite fast food restaurant?

Taco Bell

What’s your favorite Saturday Night Live skit?

Celebrity Jeopardy

Where did you grow up?

Howell, NJ

What are two personal tidbits about you?

I’m fluent in Japanese as I lived in Tokyo for 10 years and majored in the language. I am also a hobbyist hardware hacker who builds geeky electronics and props, such as a 6-foot pixel art display, lightsaber props, IR “Predator vision” displays, and burning lasers.

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A Jedi. When I was little I would sit and try to meditate in order to manifest “the Force.”

Dawn Macri

Dawn is a former content marketing intern at Updater. When she isn’t writing, researching, or creating content, you can find her cooking dinner with friends, exploring new neighborhoods, or plotting her next adventure.