Rear Admiral Ryan assumed duty as the Ninth Coast Guard District Commander in June 2015. She is the senior Coast Guard Commander for the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence Seaway, an area that encompasses eight states, a 1,500 mile international border, and a workforce of over 6,000 Coast Guard active duty, reserve, civilian and auxiliary men and women.
She previously served as Military Advisor to the Secretary of Homeland Security where she supported the Secretary in affairs relating to the coordination and execution of policy and operations between the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense.
Rear Admiral Ryan enlisted in the Coast Guard Reserves in 1982. She attained the rank of Boatswain’s Mate Third Class before graduating from Officer Candidate School in 1985.
Rear Admiral Ryan’s shipboard assignments include Deck Watch Officer aboard Coast Guard Cutter GALLATIN (New York, New York), Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Cutter CAPE MORGAN (Portland, Maine) and Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Cutter NEAH BAY (Cleveland, Ohio).
Her Operations ashore assignments include Sector Commander, Captain of the Port, Federal On Scene Coordinator and Federal Maritime Security Coordinator in North Carolina; Group Commander Charleston, South Carolina; Deputy Group Commander, St. Petersburg, Florida; Deputy Sector Commander and Alternate Captain of the Port Charleston, South Carolina.
Rear Admiral Ryan’s staff tours include assignment as the the Senior Instructor, Maritime Law Enforcement School, four tours in Coast Guard Headquarters, and two tours in Coast Guard Pacific Area, including her last assignment as the Pacific Area Chief of Staff. She also served as the Military Aide to the President, the third woman in U.S. history to do so.
She holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology from Bowling Green State University, and a Master of Arts degree in Adult Education from the University of South Florida. Rear Admiral Ryan is a graduate of the National Preparedness Initiative (NPLI) from the Harvard School of Public Health/Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
Her personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, three Legion of Merits, six Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medals, two Coast Guard Commendation Medals, among others.
Rear Admiral Ryan retired on 1 October 2017.