Fred Ryan

Frederick Joseph Ryan Jr. (born April 12, 1955) is an American media proprietor, political adviser, and lawyer who served as the publisher and chief executive officer of The Washington Post from 2014 to 2024.

He was the president and chief operating officer of Allbritton Communications Company and founding chief executive officer and president of Politico.

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

In 1977, Ryan graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor's Degree from University of Southern California.

In 1980, Ryan graduated with honors from USC Law School.

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.

Ryan began serving at the White House in February 1982 during the Reagan administration 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.

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.

He was the chief of staff for former President Ronald Reagan from 1989 to 1995 and is chairman of the board of trustees of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation.

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.

Ryan left his position as Chief of Staff in 1995.

A year earlier, President Reagan had announced to the world that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

Following his service as Chief of Staff to former President Reagan, Ryan became vice-chairman of the television, cable, and internet company Allbritton Communications.

As President and COO of the company, he managed its multiple broadcast and cable properties.

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."

Under Ryan's chairmanship, the Reagan Foundation garnered the "crown jewel" of President artifacts by obtaining Air Force One, the Presidential Aircraft that had flown Reagan and six other Presidents of the United States.

Through funds contributed by his friend T. Boone Pickens and other donors, the Air Force One Museum was built at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, CA.

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 for 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.

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.

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 the years following the Reagan Administration, Ryan was very close to Nancy Reagan and is said to have advised her on important matters.

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.

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

On December 14, 2022, Ryan announced massive layoffs at the Washington Post during a Washington Post town hall meeting.

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