Tom Ridge - Former Member of the U.s. House of Representatives, Birthday and Personal Life
Tom Ridge's Personal Details
Tom Ridge is an American politician who served as the Governor of Pennsylvania from 1995 to 2001
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | August 26, 1945 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | Republicans, Harvard University, Pennsylvania State University, Leaders, Political Leaders, Former Governor of Pennsylvania, Former Member of the U.s. House of Representatives |
| Ideologies | Republicans |
| Spouses | Michele Ridge |
| Known as | Thomas J Ridge, Thomas Joseph Ridge |
| Universities |
|
| Notable Alumnis |
|
| Birth Place | Munhall |
| Political Ideology | Republican |
| Religion | Catholicism |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | L |
| Mother | Laura |
| Sun Sign | Virgo |
| Born in | Munhall |
| Famous as | Former Governor of Pennsylvania, Former Member of the U.S. House of Representatives |
Tom Ridge's photo
Who is Tom Ridge?
Elected as the Governor of Pennsylvania twice before tragedy struck America in the form of the 9/11 Attacks, Tom Ridge is a politician known for his commitment and high ethical standards. Under his tenure from 1995 to 2001, Pennsylvania thrived as a state fueled by a high rate of economic and infrastructural development. Following the unfortunate events of September 11th, 2001, Tom Ridge became the first Assistant to the President for Homeland Security. Though considered a successful and highly respected politician during the decade of the 2000s, Ridge’s entry into politics had been anything but spectacular. He had been off to a shaky start but persevered to eventually become a capable politician. As a child he had been diagnosed with an ear infection that diminished his hearing in one ear. But the young boy did not let this stop him from becoming a bright student who excelled in both academics and athletics. He joined the army where his blooming career was cut short by a medical condition. Undaunted by the challenges life threw at him; he studied to become a lawyer and had a successful practice. Eventually he decided to enter politics where again he found success due to his gritty determination. Today he is also a thriving businessman who serves as the CEO of Ridge Global.
Childhood & Early Life
He was born on August 26, 1945, as the eldest among three siblings to working class parents in Pennsylvania. His father Thomas Regis Ridge was a Navy veteran and a traveling salesman. He suffered from diminished hearing in one ear.
He went to St. Andrews Elementary School and Cathedral Preparatory school. He was a good student and excelled in both academics and athletics.
He won a scholarship to Harvard College. Hailing from a middle class background he took up construction works to support himself. He graduated with honors in 1967.
He decided to study law and enrolled at the Dickinson School of Law. After one year he drafted into the United States Army. He won several medals during his service.
He returned home from the army because of a ruptured appendix and proceeded to complete his Juris Doctor degree at the law school, graduating in 1972.
Career
He began his legal career with a private practice in 1972 eventually becoming the Assistant District Attorney in Erie County, Pennsylvania in 1980.
He ventured into politics in 1982 and ran for the District’s open seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He beat Democratic Senator Anthony Andrezeski in a surprise win for the Republicans.
He won the re-elections six times and solidified his political career. Feeling ambitious, he ran for the Governor in 1994 and won the election becoming the governor in 1995.
In 1998 he was re-elected to the post with 57% of the vote. During his tenure, he promoted better law and order measures and provided for the creation of an emergency fund for facing any future disaster.
He supported the creation of separate schools for disruptive students and proposed that public charter schools be opened in Pennsylvania. He helped to create the Link-to-Learn initiative to ensure effective use of technology to promote education.
The then President George W. Bush created the Office of Homeland Security after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks and made Ridge the head. He resigned as the governor to take up this post.
Ridge had to develop a comprehensive national strategy to strengthen the security of the United States against terror attacks in future.
The Homeland Security Act 2002 was passed and Ridge became the first Secretary of Homeland Security. It was a job involving a very high degree of planning and coordinating the activities of several departments in order to increase the country’s resistance to terror threats.
After being active in politics for many years, Ridge resigned from the post in 2004 stating that he needed more time to spend with his family and pursue other activities.
He founded Ridge Global, an advisory firm in Washington, D.C., which provides services in risk management, security and infrastructure protection, emergency preparedness, and other related fields.
In 2010 he lent his name to be used by two former Chiefs of Staff, Mark Campbell and Mark Holman, for opening a lobbying firm called Ridge Policy Group.
Today he also serves on the board of directors for Home Depot and The Hershey Company. He is a senior advisor to the auditing firm, Deloitte.
Major Works
Ridge served as the Governor of Pennsylvania from 1995 to 2001 over the period of which he promoted law and order, supported competition among electric utilities, created a fund for facing recession, and promoted insurance programs.
Awards & Achievements
He was honored with the Woodrow Wilson Award by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
Ridge had played a key role in securing funds for an environmental center in Pennsylvania which is named The Tom Ridge Environmental Center in his honor.
Personal Life & Legacy
He married Michele in 1979 and has two children with her. His wife is the former executive director of the Erie County Library System.
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Tom Ridge biography timelines
- // 26th Aug 1945He was born on August 26, 1945, as the eldest among three siblings to working class parents in Pennsylvania. His father Thomas Regis Ridge was a Navy veteran and a traveling salesman. He suffered from diminished hearing in one ear.
- // 1967He won a scholarship to Harvard College. Hailing from a middle class background he took up construction works to support himself. He graduated with honors in 1967.
- // 1972He returned home from the army because of a ruptured appendix and proceeded to complete his Juris Doctor degree at the law school, graduating in 1972.
- // 1972 To 1980He began his legal career with a private practice in 1972 eventually becoming the Assistant District Attorney in Erie County, Pennsylvania in 1980.
- // 1979He married Michele in 1979 and has two children with her. His wife is the former executive director of the Erie County Library System.
- // 1982He ventured into politics in 1982 and ran for the District’s open seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He beat Democratic Senator Anthony Andrezeski in a surprise win for the Republicans.
- // 1994 To 1995He won the re-elections six times and solidified his political career. Feeling ambitious, he ran for the Governor in 1994 and won the election becoming the governor in 1995.
- // 1995 To 2001Ridge served as the Governor of Pennsylvania from 1995 to 2001 over the period of which he promoted law and order, supported competition among electric utilities, created a fund for facing recession, and promoted insurance programs.
- // 1998In 1998 he was re-elected to the post with 57% of the vote. During his tenure, he promoted better law and order measures and provided for the creation of an emergency fund for facing any future disaster.
- // 11th Sep 2001The then President George W. Bush created the Office of Homeland Security after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks and made Ridge the head. He resigned as the governor to take up this post.
- // 2002The Homeland Security Act 2002 was passed and Ridge became the first Secretary of Homeland Security. It was a job involving a very high degree of planning and coordinating the activities of several departments in order to increase the country’s resistance to terror threats.
- // 2004After being active in politics for many years, Ridge resigned from the post in 2004 stating that he needed more time to spend with his family and pursue other activities.
- // 2010In 2010 he lent his name to be used by two former Chiefs of Staff, Mark Campbell and Mark Holman, for opening a lobbying firm called Ridge Policy Group.
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Tom Ridge's FAQ
What is Tom Ridge birthday?
Tom Ridge was born at 1945-08-26
Where is Tom Ridge's birth place?
Tom Ridge was born in Munhall
What is Tom Ridge nationalities?
Tom Ridge's nationalities is American
What is Tom Ridge ideologies?
Tom Ridge's ideologies is Republicans
Who is Tom Ridge spouses?
Tom Ridge's spouses is Michele Ridge
What was Tom Ridge universities?
Tom Ridge studied at Harvard University,Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania State University - Dickinson Law, Harvard University, Harvard College, Cathedral Preparatory School
What was Tom Ridge notable alumnis?
Tom Ridge's notable alumnis is Harvard University, Pennsylvania State University
What is Tom Ridge's political ideology?
Tom Ridge's political ideology is Republican
What is Tom Ridge's religion?
Tom Ridge's religion is Catholicism
Who is Tom Ridge's father?
Tom Ridge's father is L
Who is Tom Ridge's mother?
Tom Ridge's mother is Laura
What is Tom Ridge's sun sign?
Tom Ridge is Virgo
How famous is Tom Ridge?
Tom Ridge is famouse as Former Governor of Pennsylvania, Former Member of the U.S. House of Representatives