The Federal Enforcement Homeland Security Foundation, or FEHSF, is set to honor three distinguished leaders — Michael Chertoff, Sean Plankey and Srini Attili — at the 2025 Ridge Awards Gala on Oct. 14 in New York City.
The annual Ridge Awards Gala brings together leaders from government and industry to celebrate individuals whose leadership, vision and service strengthen homeland security and support the country’s federal law enforcement community.
Hear government and industry leaders discuss the latest tech capabilities and the most pressing threats and challenges facing the country at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Homeland Security Summit. Register now to join this GovCon networking event on Nov. 12.
Michael Chertoff Secures Lifetime Achievement Award
Michael Chertoff, co-founder and executive chairman of global security risk management and growth advisory firm The Chertoff Group, receives the Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his decades of service in public safety and homeland security.
The second secretary of the Department of Homeland Security previously served as a federal appellate judge and directed the 9/11 investigation at the Department of Justice.
The Harvard Law School graduate is senior of counsel at law firm Covington & Burling.
Sean Plankey Receives Patriot Award
Sean Plankey, senior adviser to the secretary of homeland security for the U.S. Coast Guard, secures the Patriot Award, which honors public servants who dedicate their careers to protecting and defending the nation.
In his current role, he oversees the establishment of the Coast Guard Service Secretary and the agency’s Force Design 2028 initiative.
In March, Plankey was nominated to lead the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency at DHS.
The former U.S. Coast Guard officer served as head of cyber policy at the National Security Council during President Trump’s first term. He also served as principal deputy assistant secretary for cybersecurity, energy security and emergency response at the Department of Energy.
His industry career included time as general manager of Indigo Vault; global head of cybersecurity software at WTW; public sector chief technology officer at DataRobot; and global cyber intelligence officer at BP.
Srini Attili Earns Civic Shield Award
Srini Attili, executive vice president for the civilian business group at SAIC, has been named the Civic Shield Award recipient in recognition of his leadership in bridging innovation, technology and mission delivery for federal agencies in support of law enforcement and homeland security missions.
Before SAIC, he served as a partner at McKinsey & Co., where he led digital transformation initiatives for healthcare organizations.
He previously served as a principal at Deloitte and head of IBM’s application services work in the public sector.
Attili holds a master’s degree in computer science from the New Jersey Institute of Technology and has multiple patents in the areas of data collection, analytics and business intelligence.
What Does FEHSF Do?
FEHSF is a nonprofit organization that provides rapid financial assistance to federal law enforcement officers and their families during times of crisis.
Ariel Grossman, chief operating officer of FEHSF, said the foundation has “become known over the years as the first financial responder” to law enforcement crises and emergencies.
The foundation supports several federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
