Deloitte recruits Ridge for state government practice

In a move to enhance its state government practice, Deloitte and Touche USA LLP has hired Tom Ridge, former two-term Pennsylvania governor and first secretary of the Homeland Security Department, as a consultant.

As a senior adviser to Deloitte's U.S. State Government Practice, Ridge will counsel clients on major issues and other challenges facing governors and state governments.

Ridge will advise states on ways to deploy IT to improve government services, enhance education and boost states' abilities to serve those in need.

Ridge, a Vietnam veteran, began his public service career as assistant district attorney in Erie County, Pa. from 1980 to 1982. He then was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served six terms.

Ridge was elected governor of Pennsylvania in 1994 and served two terms. He left his position in 2001 to become an assistant to the president at the new Office of Homeland Security. When the Homeland Security Department was formally launched in 2003, Ridge became its first secretary.

Deloitte and Touche USA is a subsidiary of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, New York. Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu. The parent company has about 121,283 employees and had annual revenue of $18.2 billion in fiscal 2005.