Schools

Peter Ryan to Be Honored by Point Beach Education Foundation

Foundation's dinner at Crystal Point on Friday night

Peter Joseph Ryan, Point Beach High School Class of 1987, is among five alumni being honored on Friday night by the Point Pleasant Beach Public Education Foundation.

Yesterday, Patch published stories about three other honorees, including former Mayor Jack Pasola; Jennifer Hunziker Kelber and Raymond D. Ellis.

Today Patch is publishing stories about Ryan and John Christopher Amelchenko.

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The following narrative about Ryan was submitted by the foundation:

Peter Ryan’s classmates predicted correctly when they voted Peter “Best All Around” and “Most Likely to Succeed” in 1987.

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Commander Ryan has led a successful career as a Naval Officer earning several meritorious service awards including a Bronze Star.

Pete, a native of Point Pleasant Beach, entered Point Pleasant Beach High School in 1983 and during his four years took advantage of the many opportunities offered to help enrich his experience.

While in attendance, Pete, played four years of football, four years of varsity baseball, four years of intra-mural sports and, as a senior, ran winter track.

He was senior captain of both the football and baseball teams and earned all conference honors as a wide receiver for his efforts on the gridiron in 1987.

In addition Pete, was an active member of the Spanish Club, Drama Club, Orientation Committee, Peer Counselors, Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Marching Band. Pete also excelled in the classroom.

He was a member of the National Honor Society both junior and senior years and represented his high school at Boys State.

Pete after graduating from the “Beach” in 1987 would head to Annapolis, Maryland to join the rest of the incoming Midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy.

Commander Ryan graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1991 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Upon graduation, Ensign Ryan attended the Surface Warfare Officer School in Newport, Rhode Island where he graduated at the top of his class.

In March of 1992, Ensign Ryan reported aboard the USS SPRUANCE (DD 963), where he served as First Lieutenant, Navigator/Administrative Officer, and Assistant Chief Engineer. In October 1994, Lieutenant Ryan transferred to the Engineering Duty Officer Community.

After detaching from SPRUANCE, Lieutenant Ryan attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California where he earned a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering with an emphasis on Space Systems Engineering.

In March 1998 LT Ryan reported to Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion, and Repair at the Naval Base in Pascagoula, Mississippi where he served as Ship Superintendent for the Multi-Purpose Amphibious Assault Ship (LHD) Program and Repair Project Officer.

He led a team of 20 people providing oversight and technical support throughout all phases of the project.

In October 2000, Lieutenant Commander Ryan reported to U. S. Space and Naval Warfare Systems Facility Pacific Guam as Officer-in-Charge.

LCDR Ryan led a team of 25 civilians in the C4ISR systems engineering, installation, and life cycle support for ships and shore commands in Guam, Singapore, and Diego Garcia.

In October 2002, LCDR Ryan reported to the National Reconnaissance Office where he served as the Lead Space Vehicle Systems Engineer on a major classified satellite development program.

In July 2005 Commander Ryan reported to Commander, U. S. Naval Surface Force, Atlantic Fleet as the Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Maintenance.

During this tour CDR Ryan managed planning and the execution of scheduled and emergent repairs to 116 surface ships.

During this time CDR Ryan deployed to Afghanistan where he served as Program Manager for the Afghan National Army construction efforts from 2007-2008.

He managed 100 plus projects totaling over 2.5 billion dollars.
CDR Ryan’s final assignment in uniform was as at the National Reconnaissance Office, where he served as spacecraft program manager for a major satellite acquisition.

CDR Ryan’s personal awards include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, he has twice earned Meritorious Service Medals, has twice earned Navy Commendation Medals, he has earned a Joint Service Achievement Medal, and three Navy Achievement Medals.

He is married to the former Kathryn Mauro of Bay Head, Point Pleasant Beach High School Class of 1987. Kandy and Pete have three wonderful children: Matthew, 12; Nicholas, 11; and Abigail, 8.


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