Anthony J. Rane Center for Leadership Director

Director, Col Ryan Link, USAF (Ret) 

Colonel Ryan A. Link, U.S. Air Force (Retired) became the Director, Anthony J. Rane Center for Leadership on 1 August 2023. He retired on 31 October 2020 after serving as the Chief of Strategic Plans, Programs and Concepts for US Air Forces in Europe, completing a 28-year Air Force career.

Ryan attended the Air Force Academy Preparatory school from 1991-1992 and was commissioned in May 1996 upon graduation from the United States Air Force Academy, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. In 1998 he was designated an Air Force Pilot.

He has Master’s Degrees from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, The George Washington University, The School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, and the Naval War College.

Ryan held operational flying assignments as an instructor and evaluator pilot in the B-2A, B-52H, T-38A, and C-208. He commanded the 96th Bomb Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, Deputy Commander in Afghanistan, and held various staff assignments at the Major Command, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, and, as an Air Force Intern, the Office of the Secretary of Defense. After retirement, he served as the Deputy Director of the US Department of State’s Office of Aviation.

His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters and Silver ‘C’ Device, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with two Oak Leaf Clusters and Gold Border, Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and ‘N’ Device, the Parachutist badge, and various other unit awards and decorations. He is a Command Pilot with over 3,800 flight hours, including over 225 combat hours.

Ryan is married to Alice (Mulvaney) and they have triplet-daughters: Ellery, Megan, and Sophia. Alice is an attorney who represents military veterans with claims filed against the Department of Veterans Affairs.