The Honorable Tom Ridge Teams with IDO Security
IDO Security, a provider of solutions for the homeland security market, recently announced that The Honorable Tom Ridge, the first Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, will provide special consulting services for the company.
Governor Ridge will work with the company to accelerate U.S. implementation of the MagShoe high-speed shoes-on portable footwear weapons detection system.
"Governor Ridge's experience as our country's first Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security will provide us with invaluable assistance as we bring the benefits of the MagShoe shoes-on security screening technology to markets in the United States and throughout the world," said Michael Goldberg, President of IDO Security.
John Mitola, Chairman of the Illinois Toll Highway Authority and member of the IDO Board of Directors added, "Governor Ridge understands how to balance the need for increased security with the responsibility to keep life and commerce proceeding with minimal inconvenience. We believe his insights will be invaluable to IDO."
The MagShoe is a security screening device that detects metallic objects concealed on or in footwear, ankles and feet through the use of electro- magnetic fields, allowing citizens to be screened without shoe removal. The MagShoe is currently approved for use by the United Kingdom's Department for Transport.
"IDO Security has created a security solution that can provide increased security for airports, schools and businesses while making the screening process quick, convenient and comfortable for citizens," said Governor Ridge. "I'm impressed by the MagShoe's advanced technology and look forward to working with IDO to help accelerate its implementation."
Soon after the attacks of 9/11, Tom Ridge became the first Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and, in 2003, the nation's first Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. During his tenure, he created a border-centric agency that facilitated the flow of people and goods; instituted layered security at air, land and seaports; developed a unified national response and recovery plan; improved the sharing of information nationwide; protected critical infrastructure; and developed and integrated technology that further secured the country. A two-term governor of Pennsylvania (1995-2001), Ridge is also a former Member of the U.S. House of Representatives (1983-1995) and a decorated Vietnam combat veteran. After more than 25 years in public service, Ridge now consults on a variety of domestic and international issues. Among his many nonprofit activities, he currently serves as chairman of the National Organization on Disability and honorary co-chair of the Flight 93 National Memorial.