Secretary Tom Ridge to Chair U.S. Chamber’s National Security Task Force

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced today that The Honorable Tom Ridge, former governor of Pennsylvania and first secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, will serve as the new chairman of the U.S. Chamber’s National Security Task Force.

“Tom Ridge is an innovative leader and has earned respect for working with people on both sides of the political aisle,” said U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue. “He will play a crucial role in advancing a collaborative dialogue that brings public and private sector leaders together to strengthen our nation’s security.”

“I am honored to chair the National Security Task Force,” said Secretary Ridge. “The Chamber is a highly regarded voice of the business community and a leader in advancing the many ways in which government and the private sector can partner to protect our nation. I look forward to working with Task Force members to serve that united mission.”

The Chamber’s National Security Task Force brings together companies, industry associations, and state and local chambers that have a direct interest in homeland and national security issues. The task force represents a broad spectrum of the nation’s economy and works closely with policymakers in the administration and Congress on enhancing America’s security without inhibiting its economic vitality.

“Since the inception of the National Security Task Force in 2003, the Chamber has had a long-standing and collaborative relationship with Secretary Ridge," said Ann Beauchesne, the Chamber’s vice president of National Security and Emergency Preparedness. “As we approach the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Secretary Ridge is uniquely suited to help us examine the progress we have made since 2001 and to work toward all-hazard solutions in increasingly complex areas, such as securing global supply chain operations and protecting our nation’s cyber infrastructure from online attacks.”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

# # #