Fred Ryan
Encyclopedia
Frederick J. Ryan, Jr. (also known as Fred Ryan, born April 12, 1955) was the post-Chief of Staff
for former United States President Ronald Reagan
(1989–1995), and currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. He is also the vice-chairman of Allbritton Communications Company and President and CEO of Politico.com.
, Florida
. He attended the University of Southern California
, and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree
in 1977, and three years later graduated 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.
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 began working in 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.
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 very 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 when, a year earlier, President Reagan announced to the world that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease
. Following this service, he became vice-chairman of the television, cable, and internet company Allbritton Communications; he continues to serve in this position.
. He manages the foundation and takes part in library events, with a mission of "preserving Ronald Reagan's legacy."
Chief of Staff
The title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
for former United States President Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
(1989–1995), and currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. He is also the vice-chairman of Allbritton Communications Company and President and CEO of Politico.com.
Early career
Ryan was born on April 12, 1955 in TampaTampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. He attended the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
, and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in 1977, and three years later graduated from USC Law School
University of Southern California Law School
The University of Southern California Law School , located in Los Angeles, California, is a law school within the University of Southern California...
.
Ryan was employed as an attorney in the Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
law firm of Hill, Farrer and Burrill before joining the successful 1980 Reagan-Bush presidential campaign.
White House years
Ryan began serving at the White HouseWhite House
The White House is the official residence and principal workplace of the president of the United States. Located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., the house was designed by Irish-born James Hoban, and built between 1792 and 1800 of white-painted Aquia sandstone in the Neoclassical...
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 began working in 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.
Chief of Staff (1989–1995)
When President Reagan left office on January 20, 1989, he and First Lady Nancy ReaganNancy Reagan
Nancy Davis Reagan is the widow of former United States President Ronald Reagan and was First Lady of the United States from 1981 to 1989....
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 very instrumental in the design, fundraising, planning, and overseeing the construction of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Center for Public Affairs is the presidential library and final resting place of Ronald Wilson Reagan, the 40th President of the United States. Designed by Hugh Stubbins and Associates, the library is located in Simi Valley, California, about northwest of...
.
Ryan left his position as Chief of Staff in 1995 when, a year earlier, President Reagan announced to the world that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
. Following this service, he became vice-chairman of the television, cable, and internet company Allbritton Communications; he continues to serve in this position.
Reagan Foundation
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 GiulianiRudy Giuliani
Rudolph William Louis "Rudy" Giuliani KBE is an American lawyer, businessman, and politician from New York. He served as Mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001....
. He manages the foundation and takes part in library events, with a mission of "preserving Ronald Reagan's legacy."