WASHINGTON, October 1 /PRNewswire/ --

- First Secretary of Homeland Security to Advise Clients on Key 
International and Domestic Issues

Tom Ridge, the First U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and a two-term
governor of Pennsylvania, today announced the launch of Ridge Global LLC, a
global advisory firm that provides strategic and operational guidance to
clients worldwide.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20071001/CLM013LOGO )

"I've enjoyed a wonderfully fulfilling public service career that crossed
a range of international and domestic disciplines," said Ridge. "Ridge Global
gives me an opportunity to continue that service in a new context. I look
forward to working with my associates and clients as we forge innovative
solutions to address today's most pressing 21st century challenges."

Ridge Global assists clients with a range of needs, including strategic
business generation, global trade security, risk assessment and contingency
planning, crisis management and communications, leadership guidance and
change management, special event security and technology innovation and
integration.

Based in Washington, D.C., the firm comprises a vast bench of talent
drawn from former high-level posts in both the government and private sector
arenas. Members of the Ridge Global Advisory Committee include such notables
as international security and terrorism analyst Gen. Barry McCaffrey (Ret.),
former U.S. Homeland Security Advisor Gen. John Gordon (Ret.), former U.S.
Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thomas Collins (Ret.) and former White House
Cyber Security Advisor Howard Schmidt.

Though publicly launched today, Ridge Global already has attracted a
diverse array of clients, including the government of Albania, which has
enlisted Ridge Global to help the Adriatic democracy meet its goal to join
NATO in 2008. Additionally, the Ridge team assists Albania in attracting
private enterprise and creating a roadmap for political and justice reforms.
"Given an extraordinary depth of expertise, Tom Ridge is a leading statesman
and participant on the world stage," said Albanian Prime Minister Sali
Berisha. "We value his forward-leaning wisdom and input."

Ridge Global also provides counsel to Deloitte & Touche USA LLP on
issues, challenges and trends facing today's states and governors. "With Tom
Ridge's experience at the state and federal levels, we're delighted that our
organization and our state government clients have access to his creative
insights and results-driven perspectives," said James H. Quigley, Global CEO
of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu.

About Tom Ridge

For more than 25 years, Tom Ridge led an exemplary career in public
service. Following the tragic events of September 11th, 2001, Tom Ridge
became the first Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and, on
January 24, 2003, 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 and another call to service for the former soldier,
congressman and governor of Pennsylvania.

During his tenure, Secretary Ridge's leadership and vision were
instrumental in creating a border-centric agency that developed and
coordinated a comprehensive national strategy to strengthen protections
against terrorist threats and attacks in the United States.

Before the tragic events of September 11th, Ridge was twice elected
governor of Pennsylvania. Known for his commitment to high standards and
results, Governor Ridge delivered on his promise to make Pennsylvania "a
leader among states and a competitor among nations." His aggressive
technology strategy helped fuel the state's advances in economic development,
job growth, education, health care and environment protection.

Born in Pittsburgh's Steel Valley, Governor Ridge was raised in a
working-class family. He graduated from Harvard with honors in 1967, before
being drafted into the U.S. Army to serve as an infantry staff sergeant in
Vietnam. His service earned him the Bronze Star for Valor, the Combat
Infantry Badge and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. In 1982, he became one
of the first Vietnam combat veterans elected to the U.S. House of
Representatives and was overwhelmingly re-elected five times.

Additionally, Tom Ridge serves on public and private boards and is
currently the chairman of the National Organization on Disability. His
nonprofit work also includes service with the Council for Competitiveness,
the Center for U.S. Global Engagement, the Center for Excellence in
Government and the Center for the Study of the Presidency. He continues to
contribute to matters concerning our nation's veterans and, along with Gen.
Tommy Franks (Ret.), serves as national co-chairman of the Flight 93 Memorial
Fundraising Campaign.

About Ridge Global LLC

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Ridge Global LLC provides strategic
and operational advisory services that advance the security and economic
needs of business and governments worldwide. For more information, please
visit www.ridgeglobal.com.

Web site: http://www.ridgeglobal.com