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Ryan Templet

Founder & President

LA First Consulting

As founder and president of LA First Consulting, Ryan Templet is a Louisiana-based government relations professional with more than 15 years of experience working inside the Louisiana State Capitol, representing clients before the Legislature and Executive Branch, advising political campaigns, and navigating complex regulatory and political environments.

Ryan brings extensive experience in public service, government relations, and political campaigns, with a career rooted in Louisiana’s legislative, Baton Rouge political environment. His background includes service within the Louisiana Legislature, senior-level government relations work, and representation of national, regional, and Louisiana-based clients across a wide range of regulated industries.

Throughout his career, Ryan has advised businesses, associations, and organizations navigating complex legislative, executive, and regulatory matters. He is known for a disciplined, relationship-driven approach to advocacy, grounded in preparation, credibility, and a deep understanding of how decisions are made in Louisiana government.

Ryan’s work is guided by the belief that effective government relations require trust, integrity, and long-term thinking. He focuses on aligning client objectives with public priorities, building coalitions, and delivering outcomes that are durable and responsible.

A Louisiana native, Ryan is deeply committed to the state’s future and to advancing policies that promote economic growth, stability, and quality of life for Louisiana communities.

POLICY & LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Pilotage Reform – Led negotiations on behalf of Captain Toby Wattigney to resolve a long-standing dispute between maritime pilots and industry stakeholders.
Menhaden Fishing Regulations – Brokered agreement between the Coastal Conservation Association and the menhaden fishing industry through the Administration and LDWF.
Alcohol Delivery Reform – Instrumental drafter and strategist behind Louisiana’s alcohol delivery framework for goPuff and Drizly.
Hemp Legalization – Founded the Gulf South Hemp Association and authored Louisiana’s initial hemp legislation.
LA Wallet – Drafted and shepherded legislation authorizing Louisiana’s digital driver’s license platform.
Healthcare Advocacy – Secured increased reimbursement rates for Applied Behavioral Therapy services.

Experience & Expertise

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS & LOBBYING

Following his tenure in the Senate, Ryan transitioned into government relations and lobbying. For over a decade he has represented a wide range of clients before both the Legislative and Executive branches of Louisiana government.

Ryan’s role frequently involved drafting legislation, structuring regulatory frameworks, advising clients on compliance and implementation, and resolving disputes between competing stakeholders.

Ryan’s primary focus is relationships. The relationships he has built with public officials, legislators, staff, and executive leadership extend well beyond professional interactions and are grounded in trust, loyalty, and mutual respect. These relationships position him to advocate effectively for his clients—particularly when it matters most.

His career uniquely combines legislative staff service, senior-level lobbying, policy authorship, coalition building, and dispute resolution. Ryan is widely regarded as a bridge-builder—someone trusted by legislators, executive officials, industry leaders, advocacy groups, and colleagues across party and industry lines.

CAMPAIGN & POLITICAL EXPERIENCE

In addition to his professional government relations work, Ryan has been actively involved in political campaigns and electoral strategy. This experience informs his understanding of voter behavior, messaging, coalition-building, and the political pressures facing elected officials.

LEGISLATIVE STAFF EXPERIENCE

Ryan spent five years working as professional legislative staff in the Louisiana Senate, where he gained firsthand exposure to the inner workings of state government, legislative leadership, budget negotiations, committee processes, and the political realities that shape lawmaking.

• One year working for Senator David Heitmeier

• Four years working for former Senate President John Alario

This experience provided Ryan with deep institutional knowledge of how legislation is conceived, negotiated, amended, passed, and implemented—insight that now informs his work as an advocate and policy strategist.