A native of Mountainhome, Pennsylvania, Ryan graduated from the United States Naval Academy in June 1967 with his twin brother, Vice Admiral Norbert Ryan Jr. After designation as a naval aviator, his initial assignment was to Patrol Squadron 8.[2] From 1972 to 1975, he was assigned to the Candidate Guidance Office at the Naval Academy. He then served two years aboard the USS Nimitz as Assistant Navigator followed by a department head tour in Patrol Squadron 26.
In March 1991, he was promoted to rear admiral and served as the Director, Logistics and Security Assistance (J4) for the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command. In August 1993, Ryan assumed his duties as Commander, Patrol Wings, U.S. Pacific Fleet/Commander, Anti-Submarine Warfare Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Concurrent with his duties at the Maritime College, Ryan briefly filled in as Interim President of the University at Albany.[3]
Ryan was named Acting Chancellor of the State University of New York System in April 2005.[4] and assumed the full role in December of that year.[5]
On March 7, 2007, Ryan announced that he would step down as Chancellor on May 31, 2007 to become the president and CEO of the Center for Creative Leadership headquartered in Greensboro, N.C.[6] He stepped down from the role in January, 2022.[7]
Other Activities
Ryan has served as a director of Cablevision Systems Corporation since 2002 and currently serves as Chairman of the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation Board.[8] In 2012, Ryan received $247,508 in cash and stock for his services as a Cablevision director.[9]
References
^Lucky Bag. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Academy. 1967. p. 446. Retrieved 2019-10-07.
^"John Ryan Biography". rfsuny.org. The Research Foundation of the State University of New York. Archived from the original on 2018-08-14. Retrieved 2008-05-11.