Tom Ridge bio

After returning from the Vietnam War, Thomas Joseph “Tom” Ridge, J.D., ran and became the Republican Governor of Pennsylvania from 1995-2001

As a long-time friend of the Bush family, Ridge was appointed the First U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security during George W. Bush’s Administration. There he implemented the color-coded threat alert system, and advocated personal preparedness for possible biological attacks.  In 2005, amidst mixed public review of the agency, Ridge resigned from his post with Homeland Security.

In 2008, Ridge served Senator John McCain as a Senior Aide during the Republican Presidential Primary races, immediately prompting speculation that he would be elected to run for Vice President. 

Ridge released a personal memoir of his experience working with Homeland Security in his 2009 book The Test of Our Times: America Under Siege…and How We Can Be Safe Again, co-authored with Lary Bloom.

• Senior Aide to John McCain, 2008 U.S. Presidential Campaign, 2008
• First U.S. Secretary, Homeland Security, 2003-2005
• Founder and CEO, Ridge Global, LLC
• Board Member; The Home Depot, The Hershey Company, and Exelon Corporation
• Assistant to the President, Homeland Security, 2001-2003
• 43rd Governor of Pennsylvania (R), 1995-2001
• Former U.S. House of Representatives Congressman (R-PA), 1983-1995
• Assistant District Attorney, Erie County, Pennsylvania, 1980-1983
• Attorney, private practice, 1970-1980
• Infantry Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 1968-1970
• Recipient, Woodrow Wilson Award
• Recipient, Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge
• Recipient, Woodrow Wilson Award

• J.D., Dickinson School of Law, Penn State, 1972
• B.A., Harvard College, 1967
• Attended Cathedral Preparatory School
• Attended St. Andrews Elementary School

• The Test of Our Times: America Under Siege…and How We Can Be Safe Again (Co-authored with Lary Bloom), 2009