Tom Ridge is an American politician and government official, widely recognized as the first U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, serving from 2003 to 2005 under President George W. Bush. He was instrumental in establishing the department, consolidating various federal agencies, and coordinating national security efforts. Born in Munhall, Pennsylvania, and raised in Erie, Ridge is a decorated Vietnam War veteran, having served in the U.S. Army and earning a Bronze Star. After graduating from Harvard University and the University of Virginia School of Law, he began his career as an assistant district attorney. His political career included six terms in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1983 to 1995, followed by two terms as the Governor of Pennsylvania from 1995 to 2001. Following the September 11th attacks, President Bush appointed Ridge as the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security in 2001, a role that transitioned into leading the newly established Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as its inaugural Secretary. After leaving DHS, Ridge transitioned to the private sector, serving on numerous corporate boards and founding Ridge Global, a security consulting firm. A Republican, he has been known for his moderate political stances and suffered a stroke in 2020.