Press
Tom Ridge, first Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, announced as keynote speaker at 2015 CUNA GAC
MADISON, WI (January 22, 2015) — Credit Union National Association (CUNA) has announced that Tom Ridge, first Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, will be a keynote speaker at the 2015 CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC).
“Credit unions are continuously working to prevent cyber-attacks,” said Jim Nussle, President and CEO of Credit Union National Association. “Tom Ridge’s extensive cybersecurity background will provide invaluable insight at a time when data breaches and digital security are of paramount concern. It’s a pleasure to welcome him to this year’s CUNA GAC speaker lineup.”
As the CEO of Ridge Global, Ridge leads a team of international experts that help address risk management, global trade security, emergency preparedness and response, strategic growth, infrastructure protection and crisis management. Ridge is also co-founder of the cybersecurity firm, Ridge Schmidt Cyber, LLC.
Ridge became the first Assistant to the President for Homeland Security following the events of September, 11, 2001 and shortly after became the first Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Prior to joining the 15th Cabinet Department, Ridge served as governor of Pennsylvania from 1995 to 2001.
Ridge served as an U.S. Army infantry staff sergeant in Vietnam, earning the Bronze Star for Valor, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and was one of the first Vietnam combat veterans elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.
Ridge has received numerous honors, including the Woodrow Wilson Award, the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ Dwight D. Eisenhower Award, the John F. Kennedy National Award, and numerous others. He is also the author of The Test of Our Times: America Under Siege…And How We Can Be Safe Again.
Ridge will join former White House Press Secretary, Ari Fleischer and media influencer and business leader, Arianna Huffington as keynote speakers. Gen. Stanley McChrystal, USA (Ret.), former commander of U.S. and international forces in Afghanistan, will be speaking at the CUNA ED (Filene) Talk.
CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference, set for March 8-12, 2015, is the credit union movement’s premiere event. The event gathers more than 4,000 credit union professionals, supporters and activists in the nation’s capital to advance the credit union movement by creating awareness, removing barriers and discussing topics and techniques that foster service excellence to credit union members. The GAC also provides credit union participants the opportunity to network with their peers, attend hot-issue educational sessions and hear from key members of Congress and top federal regulators about the issues facing credit unions.
For more information about speakers and sessions at CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference, visit gac.cuna.org.
About CUNA
With its network of affiliated state credit union leagues, Credit Union National Association (CUNA) serves America’s credit unions, which are owned by more than 100 million consumer members. Credit unions are not-for-profit cooperatives providing affordable financial services to people from all walks of life. For more information about CUNA, visit www.cuna.org or follow @CUNA on Twitter. For more information about credit unions, visit www.aSmarterChoice.org and follow @asmarterchoice on Twitter. Visit the CUNA Press Room for a full listing of media mentions, press releases and resources to stay informed on current events within the credit union industry.