[citation needed] In 1982, Ryckman served as vice president, development, of the film and TV production company American Artists, Inc.

He became president and CEO in 1984 and produced several feature films including The Virgin Queen of St. Francis High,[6] Snowballs, and Crime of the Century.

[8] Ryckman assembled a team of entertainment industry professionals to assist in building the company, including CAA co-founder Michael Ovitz, music industry veterans Jimmy Iovine, Shelly Yakus, music producer Bob Ezrin, film producer, George J. Folsey and Warner Bros. director Salah Hassanein.

Ryckman oversaw the engineering of several albums using QSound including Madonna's "The Immaculate Collection", Michael Jackson's "Dangerous', Paula Abdul's "Spellbound", Sting's "The Soul Cages" and Julian Lennon's "Help Yourself".

In addition, three music recordings engineered with QSound during Ryckman's tenure won GRAMMY awards including the motion picture soundtrack, Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves.

Shortly thereafter Ryckman was approached to purchase the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL and left the music industry to pursue the ownership of the team.

[15] Part of the marketing campaign was one of extortion: at one point he demanded that Stampeders fans buy 16,000 season tickets or else he would move the team to San Antonio, Texas.

[25] In April, 2011, Ryckman finalized a multi-year agreement involving stakeholders Fox, Freemantle, Sony and Simco for the use of MyStudio's for Simon Cowell's "The X Factor.

[2] The first major music releases using MyStudio AfterMaster HD Audio process were Janet Jackson's "Make Me" produced by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, and Lady Gaga's multi-platinum "Telephone.

AfterMaster took over the former production offices of Alfred Hitchcock at the Crossroads of the World complex, establishing six recording and mastering studios.

[37] Ryckman has been active with several charitable organizations including the Easter Seals, Uncles at Large, Cystic Fibrosis and Cancer Society.

Ryckman currently serves on the advisory board of the Felix Organization whose principals include Sheila Jaffe, Darryl McDaniels and Mark Wahlberg.

[38] Ryckman was the Executive Producer of the Felix PSA video "Walk This Way" which was directed by Penny Marshall and featured Aerosmith and 25 celebrities.