Former Pennsylvania Governor and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security to Focus on Key Challenges Facing State Governments

Tom Ridge, the former two-term governor of Pennsylvania and first U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, has accepted a consulting role with Deloitte & Touche USA LLP. In addition to his own consulting activities, Ridge will serve as Senior Advisor to the Deloitte US organization's State Government Practice and counsel its clients on the major issues, challenges and trends facing governors and states. Ridge's specific areas of focus on behalf of include the effective deployment of information technology to transform government, improving education performance and improving states' abilities to serve those most in need.

Through more than 25 years of public service, Ridge has been at the forefront of making government more effective. Under his leadership as Governor, the commonwealth of Pennsylvania pioneered many innovative, successful and widely emulated initiatives that used technology to transform the delivery of government services. He was a leader in implementing enterprise-wide technologies to improve customer service and cut costs.
"With his experience as a leader at both the state and federal levels, Tom Ridge brings an extraordinary perspective on the major issues affecting state governments," said James H. Quigley, CEO of Deloitte & Touche USA LLP. "His vision and commitment helped to transform the delivery of government services in Pennsylvania, making access to needed services both more efficient and more convenient for residents. States across America are continuing to apply the lessons and approaches pioneered by Gov. Ridge. We're delighted that our organization and our state government clients will have access to his experience and insights."

Ridge served as Assistant District Attorney in Erie County from 1980 to 1982, when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Ridge, the first enlisted Vietnam veteran elected to Congress, served six terms. He was elected governor of Pennsylvania in 1994, and was reelected four years later. An active member of the National Governors Association, Ridge helped drive the national debate on a broad range of issues affecting states, including transportation infrastructure, human services, education, telecommunications, international trade promotion and science and technology development.

Ridge left the statehouse in Harrisburg in 2001 to become Assistant to the President at the new Office of Homeland Security. When the U.S. Department of Homeland Security was formally created in 2003, Ridge became its first Secretary.

"The State Government Practice has an impressive team, tremendous resources and a rich service offering that is closely aligned with the issues I faced in government, and which continue to command the attention of governors across the U.S.," said Ridge. "I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues to bring new perspectives and innovative solutions to those challenges."