WASHINGTON—Tom Ridge, the first secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, will be a keynote speaker at the 2015 CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference in March, the trade association said.
"Credit unions are continuously working to prevent cyber-attacks," said Jim Nussle, CUNA president and CEO. "Tom Ridge’s extensive cybersecurity background will provide invaluable insight at a time when data breaches and digital security are of paramount concern.”
Ridge is currently CEO of Ridge Global, which the company said includes a team of international experts that help address risk management, global trade security, emergency preparedness and response, strategic growth, infrastructure protection and crisis management. Ridge is also co-founder of the cybersecurity firm, Ridge Schmidt Cyber, LLC.
Ridge became the first Assistant to the President for Homeland Security following the events of Sept., 11, 2001 and shortly after became the first Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Prior to joining the 15th Cabinet Department, Ridge served as governor of Pennsylvania from 1995 to 2001.
Ridge served as an U.S. Army infantry staff sergeant in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star for Valor, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and was one of the first Vietnam combat veterans elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Ridge has received numerous honors, including the Woodrow Wilson Award, the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ Dwight D. Eisenhower Award, the John F. Kennedy National Award, and numerous others. He is also the author of The Test of Our Times: America Under Siege…And How We Can Be Safe Again.
Ridge will join former White House Press Secretary, Ari Fleischer and media influencer and business leader, Arianna Huffington as keynote speakers at the GAC, which takes place in Washington March 8-12.
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