Frederick Joseph Ryan Jr.[1] (born April 12, 1955) is an American media entrepreneur, political analyst, author, and lawyer who served as the publisher and chief executive officer of The Washington Post from 2014 to 2023.

[3] Ryan received an honorary doctorate degree and delivered the commencement address at the Wake Forest University graduation ceremony in 2019.

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

[3] While on the White House staff, Ryan conceived and directed the International Conference on Private Sector Initiatives which took place in Paris, France.

It led to subsequent gatherings at Private Sector Initiatives conferences in Italy and the United Kingdom involving top global CEOs and senior government officials.

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

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

[11] Ryan has advocated for the importance of independent journalism and produced a Super Bowl ad featuring Tom Hanks to highlight the work of journalists worldwide.

[12] He has advocated for First Amendment rights and founded the Press Freedom Partnership following the killing of Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul and the detention of Austin Tice in Syria.

[15] After leading The Post for 9 years, Ryan announced his intention to transition out of the role as Publisher to launch the new Center on Civility and Democracy.

[21] 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.

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.

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.