AU’s John Ryan receives accolades from FBI for preparedness 

In a special ceremony on the Summerville Campus surrounded by colleagues, friends and family, John Ryan, coordinator for the Office of Critical Event Preparedness & Response at Augusta University was awarded the Federal Bureau of Investigation‘s Director’s Community Leadership Award.

The prestigious national award acknowledges only one individual in each state for their leadership in emergency preparedness. Ryan has been recognized for his exceptional leadership and commitment to strengthening community and regional preparedness through the #strongaugusta initiative. 

“It’s a community effort, but he is by far one of the pillars and the strongest pillar for that,” said Brian Ozden, assistant special agent in charge, FBI Atlanta Division. “Without his leadership, we would not be where we are today, and so we’re very thankful. This award is very, very deserving.”

For more than seven years, Ryan has demonstrated ingenuity and teamwork in building a collaborative network of public safety, healthcare, emergency management, education, government, nonprofit and private-sector partners dedicated to enhancing the resilience of the entire Augusta region. 

“It takes a team, to keep us all safe,” said Ryan. “This is an award for #strongaugusta, an award for the community of Augusta, Georgia, and the outlying communities that have joined us.”

Beginning by convening emergency responders, along with city and county leaders together for the right conversations during the pandemic and growing each year, Ryan has been integral in connecting key stakeholders where it counts. 

“John understands that preparedness is not built during an emergency – it is built every day through relationships, collaboration, and a shared commitment to serving others,” said Joe Webber, director of CEPaR. “His leadership has helped establish a regional culture where organizations work together long before they are called upon to respond together.” 

While the DCL Award recognizes Ryan’s individual leadership, it also reflects the collaborative spirit that defines #strongaugusta. The initiative has become a model for bringing diverse disciplines together to improve preparedness, strengthen communication and enhance resilience across the region, with Augusta University in the center of the efforts. 

“I love John because he’s sincere,” Ozden added. “When John comes to you with something, there’s no self-serving. He embodies everything we want the people in our community that have these roles to keep us safe.”

“While the initiative is based on #strongaugusta, the intention has always been to grow it wide and to help as many folks as we possibly can,” said Ryan. “So this award is for that collaboration, And for all of those folks that recognize what right looks like and what you can do to keep yourself and your loved ones safer.”