One of the first times Ryan Dickey and I sat across from each other as council members, we clashed. We saw a decision differently, and it wasn’t a small disagreement. But after clearing the air, we found it easy to laugh about the process and move forward together.
That moment reminded me that leadership isn’t about always agreeing — it’s about disagreeing better. In Park City, that’s how we’ve built community: listening, adapting, and finding common ground even when our perspectives differ.
Public service teaches you that lesson in a way business never quite can. I am an entrepreneur, a consultant and a real estate agent, and each role has its challenges. But when you hold a council seat, you learn to be patient. You learn to listen to the quiet voices, not just the loud ones. You learn that nuance matters because you represent everyone, not just those who supported you.
I’ve seen Ryan embody this lesson. While “I serve all the people” might sound like a slogan, I’ve watched him actually do it.
Ryan’s service to this community has been consistent and validated at every stage. He began on the Snyderville Basin Planning Commission, where his approach earned trust across the spectrum. He was then appointed unanimously to the Park City Council by Mayor Nann Worel and council members Becca Gerber, Tana Toly, Jeremy Rubel, and myself.
After serving that term, he was elected outright — receiving more votes than any other candidate in that race. These aren’t just titles. They’re examples of a leader who shows up, does the work, and earns the respect of his peers and the public.
That respect is also reflected in the broad coalition that stands behind him today. Ryan has the support of a wide variety of current and former elected officials — people who don’t always agree on policy or politics, but who share one belief: Ryan Dickey is the right choice for Park City’s future. That kind of support is rare, and it speaks volumes.
Park City needs that kind of leadership right now. In recent years, we’ve seen a different style — one that too often says “our way or the highway.” The results have been costly: staff turnover, institutional knowledge driven out of City Hall, and now the challenge of finding a new city manager. Experience matters, and the loss of it has consequences.
That’s why this election is so important. Park City doesn’t need someone who struck gold with one company — we need someone who can deliver here, time and again. We need someone with a deeper variety of skills — someone who has shown they can serve in public office, collaborate across differences, and keep the community’s best interests at heart.
Ryan has that balance. Sure, he’s a Duke MBA with big-league business experience and the grit of building small businesses here at home. But that’s not what he hangs his hat on. He leads with service, humility and a track record of turning disagreement into real solutions for Park City.
A wide range of respected leaders support him. I support him. And I hope you will too.
Max Doilney
Park City