Thomas Howard Kean is the former governor of New Jersey. He is a Republican Party politician. Before embarking upon a political career, Ken was a teacher. In 1967 he was elected as a Republican to the New Jersey General Assembly. He lost his 1977 bid for New Jersey Governor, but won the election in 1981 and again in 1985. He is best known for his appointment as chairman of the National Commission of Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States, (the 9/11 Commission). The commission was designed to investigate the cause of the 2001, September 11th attacks and also to recommend future strategies for the prevention of future terrorist attacks. In 2004, Kean and fellow Commissioner Lee H. Hamilton published a book, Without Precedent: The Inside Story of the 9/11 Commission, which accused the Pentagon and Federal Aviation Administration of repeatedly making misstatements during Commission interviews and possible obstruction of justice. At the end of his term as governor, Kean was named President of Drew University, Madison, New Jersey. He helped to upgrade the university campus and the academic programs.

There is currently some speculation that Kean will join Barack Obama's newly appointed cabinet in the position of secretary of educationCBS: Princeton Alumni May Be Chosen For Obama's Cabinet