2013 Honoree of the Year CEO Tom Ridge

2013 – Tom Ridge, president and CEO of Ridge Global

After the events of September 11, 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 country’s 15th Cabinet Department where he served until February 1, 2005.

In 1968 Tom was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served as an infantry staff sergeant with the Americal Division in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star for Valor, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.

Prior to September 11th, Tom Ridge was twice elected Governor of Pennsylvania.  Governor Ridge’s aggressive technology strategy helped fuel the state’s advances in economic development, education, health care and the environment.

Tom Ridge was elected to Congress in 1982. He was one of the first Vietnam combat veterans elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and was overwhelmingly re-elected by Pennsylvania voters five times.

2013 Honoree of the Year Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge and Medal of Honor Recipient Sgt 1st Class Leroy Petry

Col David Sutherland, US Army Retired and Lt Commander Kimberly Mitchell, US Navy

John Phelps, creator of the Phelps Award and combat photojournalist and cinematographer Lucien Read.

NYC Police Commissioner Kay Kelly and Arnold Fisher, Honorary Chairman of the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and Vice Chairman of the Fisher House Foundation

Vietnam Combat Wounded Pennsylvania Chief Justice Ronald Castille and 2013 Honoree of the Year Former Governor of Pennsylvania Tom Ridge