The American Red Cross of South Central and Southeast Oklahoma is proud to share that Shawnee native Ryan Corley is serving as the chapter’s executive director.

Corley has deep Oklahoma roots and a strong commitment to service. He graduated from Shawnee High School in 2007 before attending East Central University in Ada. He initially pursued music, later graduating with a degree in mass communication in 2012. He also found a love for musical theatre, thanks to a well‑timed request for a low‑voiced cast member. He still performs semi‑professionally.

Ryan’s professional journey reflects a life dedicated to public service. He joined the Shawnee Police Department in 2013, serving more than eight years in law enforcement. In 2017, he expanded that service further by joining the Oklahoma Air National Guard as a sensor operator on the MC‑12W aircraft.

Corley later transitioned into a full‑time military role as Officer in Charge of a Special Operations Mission Sustainment Team, leading a 20‑member unit responsible for creating, securing, and sustaining semi‑contested airfields to support rapid aircraft refueling and rearming.

As his military career begins to shift into its next chapter, Corley is pleased to bring his leadership, operational experience and passion for service to the Red Cross.

Ryan is married to Samantha, whom he met at ECU. They have one daughter, one 14-year-old dog who is his ride-or-die and an ill-tempered black cat.

Corley started as the South Central and Southeast Oklahoma Chapter executive director in March and has spent the last several weeks getting acquainted with the Red Cross, his chapter team and community partners.

The South Central and Southeast Oklahoma Chapter serves about 800,000 residents across the following counties: Adair, Atoka, Bryan, Carter, Cherokee, Choctaw, Coal, Garvin, Haskell, Hughes, Jefferson, Johnston, Latimer, Le Flore, Love, Marshall, McCurtain, McIntosh, Murray, Muskogee, Ofuskee, Pittsburg, Pontotoc, Pottawatomie, Pushmataha, Seminole, Sequoyah and Stephens.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.