Tom Ridge joins Iridium board of directors

Satellite phone provider Iridium today announced that Tom Ridge, former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has joined the company’s board of directors. Iridium hopes that Ridge will extend the firm’s reach by providing his "extensive experience on the global war on terror."

"Iridium’s ability to provide unique solutions to combat international terrorism is an integral part of our country’s homeland security initiatives," Ridge said in a prepared statement. Iridium claims that its "unique network design allows for switching and routing of mobile satellite communications in space," which the company believes makes the service "ideal for homeland security, defense, government, emergency, maritime and aviation applications."