Fred Ryan

In 2019, before delivering the commencement address, Ryan received an honorary doctorate degree from Wake Forest University.

In September 2014, Jeff Bezos, owner of The Washington Post, named Ryan Publisher and CEO, signaling a new digitally-focused direction for the publication.

A program obtained from the elite Alfalfa Club Dinner in January 2014 indicated that Ryan is the Secretary of that secretive organization.

In the years following the Reagan Administration, Ryan was very close to Nancy Reagan and is said to have advised her on important matters. In May 2013, he was Nancy Reagan's personal representative at the official funeral service for former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in London.

Ryan headed the year-long celebration of Ronald Reagan's 100th Birthday in 2011. President Obama appointed him to the bipartisan Ronald Reagan Centennial Commission created by an act of Congress. Ryan was elected Chairman of the Commission by the United States Senators and Members of Congress that served on the Commission with him. Events were held across the country and in major European Capitals celebrating the impact of Reagan policies in promoting freedom and democracy.

In 2007, Ryan co-founded Politico, a politically focused website and newspaper. Under his leadership as President and CEO, Politico was recognized by Fast Company Magazine for Excellence as one of the "World's Most Innovative Companies" in March 2010. In the May 2013 issue of Washington Life, the impact of Politico was noted with Ryan's inclusion in the "Power 100" list of the One Hundred Most Influential People in Washington. The success of their cross-platform coverage of political news won the "Walter Cronkite Award" in 2013 for Politico, ABC-7, and NewsChannel 8 under Ryan's management.

Ryan made a personal contribution of his own to the Reagan Presidential Library by purchasing the Ronald Reagan Pub in County Tipperary, Ireland while visiting it on a family vacation in 2004. The working pub was completely disassembled and transported by container ship to Los Angeles where it was reassembled under the wing of Air Force One at the Reagan Presidential Library. Ryan's friend, Presidential journalist, Hugh Sidey, joined in in the formal dedication of the Ronald Reagan Pub at the Library. In making the gift, Ryan expressed his pride in his Irish heritage which may account for the reason he and his wife host a large St. Patrick's Day party at their Potomac, MD home each year.

Ryan headed the team that organized the moving national tribute and funeral for Ronald Reagan in June 2004. He was a Pall Bearer at President Reagan's request.

Ryan has served as a Director of the White House Historical Association since 2001. In 2012, Ryan became the Chairman of White House Historical Association.

Ryan left his position as Chief of Staff in 1995. A year earlier, President Reagan announced to the world that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

In 1995, Ryan became the chairman of the board of trustees for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, serving with fellow board members including First Lady Nancy Reagan and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. He manages the foundation and takes part in library events, with a mission of "preserving Ronald Reagan's legacy."

Ryan is the editor of Ronald Reagan: The Wisdom and Humor of the Great Communicator, published by Harper Collins in 1995, and Ronald Reagan: The Great Communicator, published by Harper Collins in 2001. He was also Executive Producer of the highly acclaimed video of the Reagan Presidency, entitled The Reagan Years.

When President Reagan left office on January 20, 1989, he and First Lady Nancy Reagan returned to California. Ryan was hired to be the former President's post-Chief of Staff. During this time, Ryan was responsible for the establishment and operation of Reagan's office in Century City. He was also instrumental in the design, fundraising, planning, and overseeing the construction of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

On November 4, 1987, President Reagan personally appointed Ryan to be Assistant to the President, the highest level of staff position in the White House.

Ryan began serving at the White House in February 1982 as Deputy Director of Presidential Appointments and Scheduling. He was appointed a year later to the position of Director of Presidential Appointments and Scheduling. In 1985, Ryan was appointed by the President to head the White House Office of Private Sector Initiatives, as well as maintaining his employment as Director of Scheduling.

Ryan was employed as an attorney in the Los Angeles, California law firm of Hill, Farrer and Burrill before joining the successful 1980 Reagan-Bush presidential campaign.

In 1977, Ryan graduated with a Bachelor's Degree from University of Southern California, and graduated magna cum laude. In 1980, Ryan graduated with honors from USC Law School.

Frederick Joseph Ryan Jr. (born April 12, 1955) is the publisher and chief executive officer of The Washington Post. He was the president and chief operating officer of Allbritton Communications Company and founding chief executive officer and president of Politico. He was the chief of staff for President Ronald Reagan (1989–1995) and is chairman of the board of trustees of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation.

Ryan was born on April 12, 1955, in Tampa, Florida.