Ryan Fitzpatrick

Growing up with two parents, a grandfather, three aunts, and two uncles in the real estate business, Ryan learned a lot while tagging along at open houses. Seeing his mom restructure a deal three times before getting it closed taught him to appreciate creative problem-solving. Watching his dad work with plumbers and exterminators to resolve last-minute emergencies showed him the value of resourcefulness and quick thinking. And observing business relationships lasting over a decade demonstrated the importance of getting to know your clients. After all, you can’t help them unless you truly understand their needs. These skills from the business world have served Ryan well on the campaign trail and on Capitol Hill, and they continue to guide his work in federal policy.

As Senior Director of Domestic Policy for the Climate and Energy Program at Third Way, Ryan oversees the organization's deep decarbonization efforts, including work on industrial decarbonization, clean energy manufacturing, electric vehicles, sustainable aviation, carbon capture and removal, energy innovation, and US competitiveness in clean energy markets. Across this portfolio, Ryan’s efforts are focused on developing and promoting policy solutions that “thread the needle” to meet America’s climate and economic growth needs. By developing relationships with stakeholders in advocacy, industry, federal agencies and on Capitol Hill, Ryan builds a well-rounded understanding of complex energy issues beyond their talking points—and uses that understanding to help Third Way influence policy debates through written products, direct outreach to policymakers, coalition-building, and educational events.

Ryan graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2005 with a degree in Spanish and International Studies. Shortly thereafter, he moved to Asheville, NC and began working as deputy finance director on the congressional campaign of first-time candidate Heath Shuler. Upon his victory in 2006, Shuler asked Ryan to join his Washington office to advise him on energy, transportation, and environmental policy. After four years serving a moderate Democrat who was highly engaged in forging creative and bipartisan policy initiatives, Ryan came to Third Way and quickly felt right at home.

Though he enjoys using the problem-solving skills he learned from his parents to advance clean energy policy, Ryan maintains his North Carolina real estate broker’s license and rarely passes by an open house without stopping to take a quick peek. It’s in the blood, you could say.

Follow Ryan on Twitter @rdfitzpat.

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Blog
Published June 26, 2025

The Senate’s Foreign Entities of Concern Provisions Are a Major Concern for Domestic Energy and Manufacturing

Photo of Ryan Fitzpatrick
Senior Director of Domestic Policy, Climate and Energy Program
Blog
Published May 15, 2025

US Advanced Nuclear Hangs on the Fate of the Tech-Neutral Tax Credits

Photo of Alan Ahn
Deputy Director for Nuclear
Photo of Ryan Norman
Senior Policy Advisor for Climate and Energy Finance
Photo of Ryan Fitzpatrick
Senior Director of Domestic Policy, Climate and Energy Program
Blog
Published May 12, 2025

Doing the Math on Trump’s Auto Tariffs

Photo of Ellen Hughes-Cromwick
Senior Visiting Fellow for Climate and Energy Program
Photo of Ryan Fitzpatrick
Senior Director of Domestic Policy, Climate and Energy Program
Blog
Published May 7, 2025

Why Trump’s FY26 Budget Would Be Disastrous for US Energy Innovation

Photo of Ryan Fitzpatrick
Senior Director of Domestic Policy, Climate and Energy Program
Photo of Maya Gibbs
Policy Advisor for Deployment
Photo of Kashvi Chandok
Climate and Energy Fellow
Photo of Rowen Price
Senior Policy Advisor for Nuclear Energy
Photo of Dr. Rudra V. Kapila
Deputy Director of Carbon Management and Hydrogen
Photo of Nicholas Yoon
Policy Advisor for Carbon Management
Photo of Shane Londagin
Senior Policy Advisor for Innovation
Blog
Published April 18, 2025

Demonstrations Push US Energy Tech Forward. DOGE Wants to Drag Them Back.

Photo of Ryan Fitzpatrick
Senior Director of Domestic Policy, Climate and Energy Program
Photo of Maya Gibbs
Policy Advisor for Deployment

Team

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Board of Trustees

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Deputy Director for Nuclear
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Senior Visiting Fellow
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Senior Communications Advisor
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Senior Philanthropy Officer
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Senior Grants Accountant
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Deputy Director of Learning & Organizational Development
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Director, Center for Entrepreneurial Opportunity
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Deputy Director of Communications for the Climate & Energy Program
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Office and Facilities Associate
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Executive Vice President for Public Affairs

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