Red Cross Announces Tom Ridge as Lifesaver Breakfast Keynote Speaker

NASHVILLE, Tenn., February 6, 2014 – The Nashville Area Chapter of the American Red Cross is pleased to announce The Honorable Tom Ridge as this year’s keynote speaker for the 12th Annual Lifesaver Breakfast on Tuesday, March 11th at 7:30 am, at Lipscomb University in Allen Arena.

Tom Ridge is the CEO of Ridge Global.  A Vietnam combat veteran, former U.S. Congressman, the 43^rd Governor of Pennsylvania, and the first Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

 

Often noted for his instrumental role within Homeland Security, Ridge leads a team of international experts that help businesses and governments address a range of needs throughout their organizations, including security and infrastructure protection, emergency preparedness and response, energy, strategic growth, maritime management and other issues that encompass a diverse portfolio. 

 “We are honored to host Tom Ridge as our keynote speaker, as he will share with Middle Tennessee business and community leaders his personal experiences working with the American Red Cross,” said Joel Sullivan, Regional CEO for the Tennessee Volunteer Region of the American Red Cross.  “As Secretary of Homeland Security, he worked on the front lines promoting public and private sector partnerships that served to strengthen community resiliency after natural and man-made disasters.”

 Jan and Harry Jacobson will serve as event Chairpersons.  The Jacobsons have had tremendous impact in our community and beyond with their charitable involvement with non-profit organizations including Family Foundation Fund, Middle Tennessee Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Shoot for the Future, and Hospital Hospitality House. 

 The Jacobsons are working in coordination with a volunteer event committee that is comprised of our community’s most dedicated leaders, including:  Bill Andrews, Joe Crace, Kari Johnson, Bill Krueger, Roland Lundy, Rob McCabe, MaryEllen Rodgers, Peter Rousos and Gary Wilson.

The Lifesaver Breakfast hosts Nashville’s most influential business and community leaders, sharing the mission of the American Red Cross and raising the financial funding resources necessary to provide their core humanitarian services.

For more information on the Lifesaver Breakfast and sponsorship opportunities, please contact Mandy Peebles at 615.290.6804 or visit to redcross.org/LifesaverBreakfast2014 to reserve your tickets.  Seating is limited.

 About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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