The Honorable Tom Ridge

Former Governor of Pennsylvania and Former Secretary of Homeland Security

 

Terrorist threats to the business infrastructure of the United States loom nearly everywhere — from drinking water and power plants to ports and shipping lines. Everything is a potential target to entities seeking to disrupt commercial and government functions. Few know this as well as Ridge, who was tapped by President Bush in 2001 to become the country’s first Office of Homeland Security Advisor.

 

On Jan. 24, 2003, Ridge was sworn in as the first Secretary of Homeland Security. Ridge was tasked with leading the largest government reorganization in 50 years. To do it he had to lead the integration of more than 170,000 people from nearly two dozen agencies while heading the national effort to make America more secure. He accomplished this goal in a remarkable 100 days. Since leaving his cabinet post on Feb. 1, 2005, Ridge has continued to provide his expertise to the nation’s leaders concerning homeland security.

 

Ridge brought vast leadership experience to his Homeland Security post as a two-term governor of Pennsylvania, a former United States Representative and decorated veteran. Ridge was the first enlisted Vietnam combat veteran elected to the U.S. House, and was overwhelmingly re-elected six times.