Tom Ridge to Chair SSTI Board

Tom Ridge, the first secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and a former governor of Pennsylvania, has been elected chairman of the State Science and Technology Institute's (SSTI) Board of Trustees. As chairman, Ridge will lead the board in providing strategic guidance and oversight of SSTI's operations as the group works to encourage economic growth through science, technology and innovation. "SSTI focuses on issues central to our nation's competitiveness," said Ridge. "Many of the interests and areas that I'm passionate about, such as rebuilding America's manufacturing sector, align with SSTI's mission. I look forward to helping them advance their goals." Ridge was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1982 prior to serving as Pennsylvania's 43rd governor. In 2001, he became the first assistant to the president for Homeland Security and in 2003, the first secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Today, Ridge is president and CEO of Ridge Global, an international security and risk management advisory firm, and also a partner at Ridge Policy Group, a full-service government relations and issue management firm providing government relations services, strategic consulting and legislative analysis and tracking. "Ridge is a visionary leader who brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the field during a critical time in our economy," said Dan Berglund, SSTI president and CEO. "We are honored to work with Gov. Ridge to help SSTI grow and further its mission." SSTI trustees represent government, higher education and industry and provide leadership and direction for the organization's 180 members, which include state and local tech-based economic development groups, universities, industry-specific technology councils and nonprofit organizations. Prior chairmen and vice chairmen of SSTI's board were Dick Thornburgh, also a former governor of Pennsylvania and attorney general of the United States; John Engler, former governor of Michigan; Dick Celeste, former governor of Ohio; and Michael Dukakis, former governor of Massachusetts