Washington, DC, February 19, 2008: The Middle East Institute announced that Dr. Michael Ryan has been named Vice President of MEI, following the retirement of Ambassador David Mack

Mike Ryan most recently served as Vice President for Administration and Finance (2006-2007) at the Millennium Challenge Corporation, where he transformed its financial and information technology departments from start-up entities to high performing organizations.

In joining MEI, Dr. Ryan returns to the focus of his earlier career and education. After earning a PhD in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, he worked as a political military analyst specializing in the Middle East and North Africa for the Department of Defense for ten years. During this period, Ryan made numerous high level presentations on regional security issues to NATO and, on a bilateral basis, to European allies and high-level government officials in the Middle East and North Africa. While serving in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Dr. Ryan led the first delegation to Central Europe to offer International Military Education and Training assistance to countries emerging from Soviet dominance. Ryan published a number of articles on US military assistance to the Middle East and received the Defense Intelligence Agency’s highest civilian award for his analysis during the Iran-Iraq war.

During his tenure at the US Department of State, Ryan served as Executive Director and Controller of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and acted as Deputy Assistant Secretary. He later joined the Environment Protection Agency as Controller, Deputy Chief Financial Officer. A graduate of St. John’s College, Ryan has a PhD from Harvard University’s Department of Near East Languages and Civilizations.

Wyche Fowler, Chairman of MEI’s Board of Governors, welcomed Ryan’s appointment, “Mike Ryan has a deep knowledge and respect for the Arab and Muslim cultures, which enhances MEI’s long-standing commitment to bridge the gap of misunderstandings between our societies.”

Retiring Vice President Ambassador David Mack will remain at MEI as an Adjunct Scholar, building on his 10 years of service to the Institute. Mack, who spent over 30 years in the US Foreign Service, held the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs during the Desert Storm and Desert Shield operations, for which he provided political support while promoting US business interests in the Middle East.

For more than 60 years, the Middle East Institute has been dedicated to increasing Americans’ knowledge and understanding of the region. MEI offers program activities, media outreach, language courses, scholars, a library focused on the Middle East and an academic journal to help achieve its goals.