He received his bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University and served in the United States Air Force from 1966 through 1970.
After completing his master's degree, Ranville entered the private sector specializing in public relations and corporate communications.
In 1982, Mr. Ranville joined the Michigan political lobbying and public relations firm of Karoub Associates, eventually rising to senior partner.
Significant among the clients Ranville represented was the Michigan Library Association, for whom he waged a number of highly visible political battles on behalf of librarians' First Amendment rights.
In the late 1990s, Ranville was drawn to the case of Lieutenant Milo Radulovich, a Michigan native and Air Force Reserve officer who was designated as a security risk in the early 1950s.