Christine Toretti, Program Founder

A pioneer in many walks of life, Christine Toretti is the Chairman and CEO of the S. W. Jack Drilling Co., the largest privately-held land-based drilling company in the United States. She also serves on various corporate boards around the nation. Her astute business acumen, her ability to transcend gender-biases in the workplace, and her reputation as a business turn-around expert, make her a much sought-after advisor.

In addition, Christine serves on many non-profit boards including the NCAA Foundation, International Medical Corps, and the Gettysburg Battlefield Museum Foundation. Christine is the Founder and Chair of the Anne Anstine Excellence in Public Service Series, a training program designed to educate, empower and advance Republican women.

Governor Ridge so respects her leadership that eight years ago, he appointed her to Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education and subsequently adopted a plan she crafted to fund investments in higher education in new and innovative ways. Governor Mark Schweiker appointed her as his representative on the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission. President George W. Bush appointed her to the Rural Telephone Bank where she now serves as Vice Chair.

With a family tradition of political activism, Christine has been recognized as an extraordinary fundraiser for candidates and party organizations in the local, state, and national arena and serves as National Committeewoman of Pennsylvania to the Republican National Committee. A force within her industry, the new administration sought her input by placing her on the National Petroleum Council and the U.S. Secretary of Energy's Advisory Board.

If you would ask Christine what is her prime motivation, she would say it is two-fold. First, her commitment to her three sons is paramount and she is compelled to political activism because of her concern for their future. Second, she has a deep commitment to women in great part to the experiences she encountered in the totally male-dominated oil and gas industry. She crosses the nation constantly to promote Republican candidates and has created an annual retreat for female corporate leaders from all over the world.

A recipient of numerous awards, she insists that her greatest gifts are her sons: Joe (17), Max (15), and Matthew (12). When available, she has coached their baseball teams and also challenged them on the ice in hockey.