Answer:
Tom Ridge was the first Secretary of Homeland Security, a position he held from 2003 to 2005. Prior to this, he served as the Governor of Pennsylvania from 1995 to 2001. As Secretary of Homeland Security, Ridge was responsible for overseeing the department's efforts to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks on American soil. He played a key role in developing and implementing the government's response to the 9/11 attacks, including the creation of the color-coded threat level system and the establishment of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Ridge also worked to improve information sharing and coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in order to better protect the homeland.