About Us
The Tapchan Vision
For centuries, Central Asia has served as a crossroads where goods, ideas, and cultures converge. Travelers to Central Asia and locals alike often converge around a Tapchan—a traditional raised platform used for hosting guests, breaking bread, forging relationships, and making important decisions.
Tapchan Consulting Group (TCG) was founded in the same spirit of connection and dialogue that the Tapchan itself represents. We believe that even the greatest challenges can be overcome when we join together in common purpose.
Ryder Rogers - President
Ryder Rogers has over 20 years of experience leading economic development efforts and driving regional cooperation. As a U.S. Foreign Service Officer, he led key initiatives across Eurasia and the Indo/Pacific in areas including energy security, trade, and environmental conservation.
Prior to launching Tapchan Consulting Group, Ryder served as the Director of the Regional Energy and Environment Office for USAID/Philippines, Pacific Islands and Mongolia. From 2019-2022 he served as the Director of USAID/Central Asia’s Economic Development Office in Almaty, Kazakhstan, leading C5+1 and other regional cooperation efforts in trade, energy, water and environment. As a Foreign Service Officer since 2008, he also served in Uzbekistan, Washington DC, Timor-Leste, and Ukraine. Mr. Rogers began his career in international development as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kazakhstan.
Dr. Patrick Meyer Senior Advisor Energy & Critical Minerals
Dr. Patrick Meyer brings 15 years of advisory experience in energy and critical minerals security across Central Asia, the Caucasus region, and beyond. Having worked for USAID, the Department of State, and the US Congress, he has lived in Armenia, Bangladesh, Greenland, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and Washington, D.C. Dr. Meyer holds a Ph.D. in Energy & Environmental Policy, bridging scientific and development objectives with private sector investment opportunities across Eurasia.
During his recent four-year assignment to Kazakhstan, Dr. Meyer led U.S. energy sector engagement under C5+1, including oversight of a $115 million regional energy security program and implementation of projects and field assessments including energy auctions, cybersecurity, grid monitoring, energy storage, and rooftop solar.