John R. Ryan

John R. Ryan
Born August 15, 1945 (1945-08-15)
Place of birth	Harrisburg, Pa.
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1963-2002
Rank	Vice Admiral (USN)
Commands held	U.S. Sixth Fleet/Commander, Fleet Air Mediterranean/Commander, United States Naval Academy/Superintendent
Awards	Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal (with oak leaf cluster), Legion of Merit (with two gold stars), Meritorious Service Medal (with two gold stars), Air Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (with two gold stars)
Other work	President: State University of New York Maritime College (2002-2006) Chancelor: State University of New York (2006-2007) President and CEO: Center for Creative Leadership (2007-present)

Vice Admiral John R. Ryan (b. August 15, 1945) is a Naval Officer who is most notable for having served as the Superintendent of the US Naval Academy and as Chancellor of the State University of New York.

Biography

A native of Mountainhome, Pa., Vice Admiral Ryan graduated from the United States Naval Academy in June 1967 with his twin brother, Vice Admiral Norbert Ryan Jr., USN. After designation as a naval aviator, his initial assignment was to Patrol Squadron EIGHT. 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 TWENTY-SIX.

Vice Admiral Ryan received a Master of Science Degree in Administration from George Washington University, Washington D.C. in 1975. He has also completed the program for Senior Executives in National and International Security at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. Prior to the selection for flag rank, Vice Admiral Ryan commanded Patrol Squadron ELEVEN, Patrol Squadron THIRTY-ONE, and Patrol Wing TEN. Other Shore assignments included the Strategic Concepts Group in the Office of Chief of Naval Operations, Military Assistant to the Executive Secretary in the immediate office of the Secretary of Defense, Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air Warfare), and Executive Assistant to the Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command.

Ryan at the Nimitz Library

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, Vice Admiral Ryan assumed his duties as Commander, Patrol Wings, U.S. Pacific Fleet/Commander, Anti-Submarine Warfare Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Vice Admiral Ryan served as the United States Naval Academy Superintendent for four years before retiring. He assumed his duties as the 32nd President of the State University of New York Maritime College on June 14, 2002.

Concurrent with his duties at the Maritime College, Ryan briefly filled in as Interim President of the University at Albany.

Ryan was named Acting Chancellor of the State University of New York System in April 2005. and assumed the full role in December of that year.

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.

Ryan is married to the former Diane L. Ackerman of Bangor, Pennsylvania. They have three adult daughters: Tricia, Kelly, and Julie.

Academic offices
Preceded by Charles R. Larson	Superintendent of United States Naval Academy 1998–2002	Succeeded by Richard J. Naughton
Preceded by RADM David C. Brown USMS	President of the State University of New York Maritime College June 15, 2002–2006	Succeeded by VADM John W. Craine Jr. USN(ret.)
Preceded by Carlos E. Santiago (Officer in Charge)	Interim President of the University at Albany, SUNY February 24, 2004 – January 31, 2005	Succeeded by Kermit L. Hall
Preceded by Robert L. King	Chancellor of the State University of New York June 1, 2005 – December 19, 2005 (Acting) December 20, 2005 – May 31, 2007	Succeeded by John B. Clark (Acting)