The Hon. Thomas J. Ridge is the Co-Founder & Executive Chairman of RIDGE-LANE LP, where he oversees the firm’s management, international business, and government affairs.

Mr. Ridge became the first Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and was appointed first Secretary, U.S. Department of Homeland Security – where he oversaw 180,000 employees across 22 federal agencies that facilitated the flow of people and goods, instituted layered security at air, land and seaports, developed a unified national response and recovery plan, protected critical infrastructure, integrated new technology and improved information sharing worldwide.  

He was twice-elected Governor of Pennsylvania – where his aggressive technology strategy helped fuel the state's advances in economic development, education, health care and the environment.  Prior, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served six terms.

He was drafted into the U.S. Army 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.  Other honors include the Woodrow Wilson Award, the Veterans of Foreign Wars' Dwight D. Eisenhower Award, the John F. Kennedy National Award, and the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

Mr. Ridge has a B.A. from Harvard University, with honors, and a J.D. from Penn State University - Dickinson School of Law.  He serves or has served on the boards of directors for The Home Depot, The Hershey Company and Exelon Corporation, as well as the Institute for Defense Analyses, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce National Security Task Force, The Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, and the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress.