Thomas J. Ridge

The Honorable Thomas J. Ridge (Chairman), is Chairman of international consulting firm Ridge Global LLC. He also currently serves as Chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s National Security Task Force.

Mr. Ridge served as the first Secretary of the United States Department of Homeland Security from January 2003 through January 2005, and the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security (an Executive Office created by President George W. Bush) from October 2001 through December 2002.

The creation of the country’s 15th Cabinet Department marked the largest reorganization of government since the Truman administration. Previously, he was the twice-elected Governor of Pennsylvania from 1995 through October 2001. He graduated from Harvard with honors and served as an infantry staff sergeant in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star for Valor, the Combat Infantry Badge, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. After returning to Pennsylvania and earning his law degree from Penn State University, he became one of the first Vietnam combat veterans elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served six terms. Mr. Ridge is a director of the Hershey Company.