Former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge will receive the Intelligence and National Security Alliance’s 2022 William Oliver Baker Award.
Established in 1984, the Baker Award recognizes extraordinary contributions to U.S. intelligence and national security affairs.
“Dr. Baker is a legendary figure whose contributions to our nation are innumerable, so to receive this award with his name attached is an incredible honor,” Ridge said.
“I cannot help but to think of the thousands of dedicated men and women within DHS and across government who came together at the most challenging of times to protect our country. I humbly accept this Award on behalf of these patriots who served — and continue to serve today — with distinction,” Ridge added.
Having previously served as an Army non-commissioned officer in Vietnam, as a congressman and as a twice-elected governor of Pennsylvania, Ridge concluded decades of public service as the first secretary of the Department of Homeland Security from 2003 to 2005.
“Throughout his acclaimed career, Tom Ridge’s commitment to bipartisanship, deep love of country and selfless service served as an inspiration to others,” said Tish Long, chair of the INSA board of directors.
As DHS secretary, Ridge worked with more than 180,000 employees from a combined 22 agencies to create a new cabinet agency.
“When our nation came under attack, he stepped up and helped create a national strategy to coordinate homeland security efforts across all of government,” Long said. “The foundational approach he established prioritized critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity, and recognized that information sharing between the private sector and government entities at all levels was necessary to reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism and natural disaster.”