Michael Ryan, Patch Staff

Email: michael.ryan@patch.com

Phone: 603-286-0148 Hometown: Londonderry, NH

Birthday: Sept. 21, 1989

Bio: For the longest time, I actually wanted to be a high school teacher. That was until one of my own high school teachers inspired me toward the journalism profession, which has since taken over my life in the best way possible.

Almost my entire background in journalism has been online. I have spent time interning at The Hartford Courant, which taught me how to work in a professional reporting environment. I have worked with all sorts of individuals to launch startups with all sorts of focuses, whether they be sports, music or general social media. My education came from The University of Connecticut, where I graduated with two degrees in journalism and communication sciences. 

I currently live in Londonderry and before college I lived there for the first 18 years of my life. For those familiar with the town, I remember riding my bike as a kid to Nutfield Country Store and running with cross country teammates through the apple orchards. At heart, I will always be attracted to more agricultural communities. The city is not my kind of lifestyle.

I'm proud to be a lifelong Boston sports fan, and if I can't watch a game, I typically have the scoreboard on my phone in my hip pocket. It's just how I have always been since I was a kid. I guess I made the right decision since I've gotten to enjoy myself at seven impromptu parades over the past decade.

I'm also a music freak, and half of my hard drive is typically loaded with song files. I specifically have a passion for local bands who have not yet been discovered.

Other interests include family, technology and anything featuring Tom Hanks.

Your Beliefs

At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.

Politics

Independent.

Religion

I will readily admit that I have not been to church in a very long time, but wholeheartedly respect everyone's beliefs.

Favorite Book

"Tuesdays With Morrie" by Mitch Albom, and not just because Albom is a journalist. He's also a fascinating storyteller, and I could read this novel a thousand times.

Favorite Movie

Call me an obnoxious Bostonian if you will, but it will always be some sort of "Good Will Hunting" and "The Boondock Saints" combination. "Road to Perdition" is a keeper too. There's three films I just gave you for the movie bucket list.

Favorite Musician/Artist/Band

I can't even go near this because it's impossible for me to choose. However, I will say that the Eric Clapton playlist on my Pandora account is a good start.

Role Model

My father.