Don Ryan

Don Ryan is a lifetime Yooper and Host of TV6's "The Ryan Report." He's worked for TV6 for many years, back to the very early days of the station.

Don's experience includes working in radio and television, government and private industry. He's also had a longtime interest in regional economic development.

He started working in Marquette County radio when he was a sophomore in high school at WJPD in Ishpeming. Ryan also worked at WDMJ and WJAN in announcing, sales, programming and management positions (1957-1963). His early career in broadcasting included serving as news, sports and weather reporter at WLUC-TV in Marquette. While there, he was also promoted to management positions including Operations Manager and Station Manager (1965-1974).

In 1975, Ryan was appointed District Representative for Congressman Phil Ruppe, which involved representing the Congressman at various activities, events and constituent meetings throughout the Upper Peninsula. His other government experience included serving for 12 years on the Ishpeming Board of Education and on the Marquette City Commission, from 2008 to 2014.

Ryan joined the staff of The Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company in 1977 as its Public Affairs Representative. He was promoted to District Manager of Public Affairs in 1982 and served in that capacity until his retirement from the company in 2003.

He returned to TV6 in 2003 as the Host and Producer of The Ryan Report, a weekly news interview program featuring leaders from government, business and the community. He left the show when he was elected to serve on the Marquette City Commission, but returned to the program when he completed that service in 2015.

Ryan's interest in economic development included serving in leadership positions with the Lake Superior Community Partnership, Operation Action UP, the Lake Superior Jobs Coalition, the Ishpeming Chamber of Commerce and the Central Upper Peninsula Job Force Board.

In 2019, WLUC-TV6 & FOX UP named Don Ryan as the first recipient of the first Carl V. Pellonpaa Lifetime Achievement Award because of his dedication to area businesses and the community.