Former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge (R-Pennsylvania) and former New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson (D) will appear at a special Public Policy Forum at the 2013 Annual Meeting & Industry Convention on Friday, February 1.

The session will be moderated by Fox News political commentator Dana Perino, who served as press secretary for former U.S. President George W. Bush. The morning kicks off with a breakfast at 8 a.m. in Palazzo Ballroom, Salon D at the Grande Lakes Orlando (Florida).
 
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.
 
Mr. Ridge is currently the president and CEO of Ridge Global, an international security and risk management company headquartered in Washington, DC. As the company's chief executive, Mr. Ridge leads a team of international experts that help businesses and governments address a range of needs throughout their organizations, including risk management, global trade security, emergency preparedness and response, strategic growth, infrastructure protection, crisis management and other issues that encompass a diverse portfolio.
 
Mr. Richardson served two terms as Governor of New Mexico (2002-2008); for 15 years in Congress representing northern New Mexico; in 1997 as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and in 1998 was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy.
 
He was recently named chairman of APCO Worldwide’s executive advisory service Global Political Strategies (GPS) and Special Envoy for the Organization of American States (OAS).