Tom Ridge Announces New Venture

Tom Ridge Announces New Venture

October 01, 2007

First Secretary of Homeland Security to Advise Clients on
Key International and Domestic Issues


    WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- 

    Tom Ridge, the First U.S. Secretary of Homeland
Security and a two-term governor of Pennsylvania, today
announced the launch of Ridge Global LLC, a global advisory
firm that provides strategic and operational guidance to
clients worldwide.  

    (Logo: 
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071001/CLM013LOGO )

    "I've enjoyed a wonderfully fulfilling public
service career that crossed a range of international and
domestic disciplines," said Ridge.  "Ridge Global
gives me an opportunity to continue that service in a new
context.  I look forward to working with my associates and
clients as we forge innovative solutions to address today's
most pressing 21st century challenges."

    Ridge Global assists clients with a range of needs,
including strategic business generation, global trade
security, risk assessment and contingency planning, crisis
management and communications, leadership guidance and
change management, special event security and technology
innovation and integration. 

    Based in Washington, D.C., the firm comprises a vast
bench of talent drawn from former high-level posts in both
the government and private sector arenas. Members of the
Ridge Global Advisory Committee include such notables as
international security and terrorism analyst Gen. Barry
McCaffrey (Ret.), former U.S. Homeland Security Advisor
Gen. John Gordon (Ret.), former U.S. Coast Guard Commandant
Adm. Thomas Collins (Ret.) and former White House Cyber
Security Advisor Howard Schmidt.

    Though publicly launched today, Ridge Global already
has attracted a diverse array of clients, including the
government of Albania, which has enlisted Ridge Global to
help the Adriatic democracy meet its goal to join NATO in
2008.  Additionally, the Ridge team assists Albania in
attracting private enterprise and creating a roadmap for
political and justice reforms.  "Given an
extraordinary depth of expertise, Tom Ridge is a leading
statesman and participant on the world stage," said
Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha. "We value his
forward-leaning wisdom and input."

    Ridge Global also provides counsel to Deloitte &
Touche USA LLP on issues, challenges and trends facing
today's states and governors.  "With Tom Ridge's
experience at the state and federal levels, we're delighted
that our organization and our state government clients have
access to his creative insights and results-driven
perspectives," said James H. Quigley, Global CEO of
Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.

    About Tom Ridge

    For more than 25 years, Tom Ridge led an exemplary
career in public service.  Following the tragic events of
September 11th, 2001, Tom Ridge became the first Assistant
to the President for Homeland Security and, on January 24,
2003, became the first Secretary of the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security. The creation of the country's 15th
Cabinet Department marked the largest reorganization of
government since the Truman administration and another call
to service for the former soldier, congressman and governor
of Pennsylvania.

    During his tenure, Secretary Ridge's leadership and
vision were instrumental in creating a border-centric
agency that developed and coordinated a comprehensive
national strategy to strengthen protections against
terrorist threats and attacks in the United States.

    Before the tragic events of September 11th, Ridge was
twice elected governor of Pennsylvania.  Known for his
commitment to high standards and results, Governor Ridge
delivered on his promise to make Pennsylvania "a
leader among states and a competitor among nations." 
His aggressive technology strategy helped fuel the state's
advances in economic development, job growth, education,
health care and environment protection.  

    Born in Pittsburgh's Steel Valley, Governor Ridge was
raised in a working-class family.   He graduated from
Harvard with honors in 1967, before being drafted into the
U.S. Army to serve as an infantry staff sergeant in
Vietnam.  His service earned him the Bronze Star for Valor,
the Combat Infantry Badge and the Vietnamese Cross of
Gallantry.  In 1982, he became one of the first Vietnam
combat veterans elected to the U.S. House of
Representatives and was overwhelmingly re-elected five
times.  

    Additionally, Tom Ridge serves on public and private
boards and is currently the chairman of the National
Organization on Disability. His nonprofit work also
includes service with the Council for Competitiveness, the
Center for U.S. Global Engagement, the Center for
Excellence in Government and the Center for the Study of
the Presidency.  He continues to contribute to matters
concerning our nation's veterans and, along with Gen. Tommy
Franks (Ret.), serves as national co-chairman of the Flight
93 Memorial Fundraising Campaign. 

    About Ridge Global LLC

    Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Ridge Global LLC
provides strategic and operational advisory services that
advance the security and economic needs of business and
governments worldwide.  For more information, please visit
http://www.ridgeglobal.com. 


    For more information, please contact:

     S. Michele Nix
     Ridge Global LLC
     Tel: [phone]