Former Secretary Tom Ridge talked about his book The Test of Our Times: America Under Siege and How We Can Be Safe Again (Thomas Dunne Books; September 1, 2009). Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge became the first secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The creation of the country’s 15th cabinet department marked the largest reorganization of government since the Truman administration. In his book former Secretary Ridge discusses how he was called to the job and the politics involved in the creation and daily operations of Homeland Security. The guest interviewer was Mimi Hall, correspondent for USA Today.
Tom Ridge is the former governor of Pennsylvania and the first secretary of Homeland Security. He is founder of Ridge Global, a security and risk management consulting firm and chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Organization on Disability. He is also co-chair of Flight 93 Memorial.