ASK A BUSY PERSON: Pat Ryan

Mercer Business, Jul 01, 2004 by Fischer, Dorothy

The color green - both the wearing of it and the dealing in it define the life of Patrick M. Ryan. The president and CEO of Yardville National Bank is a longtime member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and has served in various capacities with the Friendly Sons and Daughters of St. Patrick of Mercer County.

While he's received many awards, and considerable recognition over the course of his career, Ryan claims to be proudest of his selection by Irish America Magazine as one of the top 100 Irish-American business people.

A native of Buffalo, New York, Ryan graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in business administration, and worked at banks in his hometown, at Marine Midland Bank in New York City, and at Howard Savings Bank in Livingston, New Jersey, before joining Yardville in 1991.

A Hamilton resident, Ryan became active with the township's economic development council, a group that he's chaired since its inception in 1994. "The organization works in concert with township officials and has been very instrumental in developing quality commercial real estate for Hamilton," he explains. He's seen the organization, now in its tenth year; expand to include 40 members who are representative of Hamilton's business community.

Another Hamilton mainstay that's enjoyed Ryan's expertise is the YMCA, where he's been a longLime board member and first vice chairman. "I've been very involved with many aspects of this organization," he notes. These have included the finance committee, and capital development fund raising.

Ryan has also been very active in various capacities with the Hun School of Princeton, where he's served as treasurer of the board of trustees, and chairman of the finance committee, while overseeing financing for the school's expansion project.

He has a very personal interest in this Princeton institution. One of his five sons is a Hun graduate, while another is entering his junior year, and a third is just coming aboard as a sixth grader. This family involvement has kept him active at the school for the past 6 years.

After many years of volunteering with the American Red "Cross, Ryan has now moved to director emeritus status, from being a longtime active director. He notes that the Yardville National Bank has always been very supportive of Red Cross fundraisers, including golf tournaments and dinners.

His other charitable works include the local Boy Scouts. "I was very active for a number of years, and I'm still on the board and the executive committee," he explains.

Work-related memberships and associations include serving on the board of directors of the New Jersey Bankers Association. "That's my second tour of duty there," he says of the organization that oversees legislative issues affecting banks throughout New Jersey. He's also served on the Community Bank Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia.

This very busy person has also taken time to act as president and chairman of the annual dinner of the Friendly Sons and Daughters of St. Patrick. His chairmanship dates back about eight years, and he credits his success with this group to help received from committee members, and also from the Yardville Bank. Ryan notes that this group's annual dinner has always been very effective in raising funds for charities selected by dinner honorees.

The George Washington Council- Boy Scouts of America has honored Ryan as "Distinguished Citizen of the Year", and the Hamilton Area YMCA as "Man of the Year". Another honor was bestowed on him when he was cited as "Friendly Son of the Year" by the Friendly Sons and Daughters of St. Patrick.

Ryan, wife Sandy, and sons Brendan and Terrence are residents of Hamilton's Mercerville area. His other sons are Kevin, Patrick and Michael.

All five of the Ryan sons have been active in sports, and their dad has just completed his 24th year of involvement with youth hockey, a sport in which all of his boys were active at one time. He's also coached Little League baseball, and still remains very actively involved with youth sports.

Outside of business concerns and voluntarism, Ryan's interests include what he terms "social golf," and running about 25 miles a week. He also describes himself as "a voracious reader of novels" - specifically mysteries.

This fervent Irish-American is certainly very effective at the raising of the green, a talent for which many local charities are the grateful beneficiaries.