Thomas Van Essen is a member of the Von Essen family, who are part of the German and Swedish nobility. He is a graduate of St. Francis College, class of '72.
Kerik was raised Catholic and grew up in Paterson, New Jersey. After the 2003 invasion of Iraq, President George W. Bush appointed Kerik as the interior minister of the Iraqi Coalition Provisional Authority. In 2004, Bush nominated Kerik to lead the Department of Homeland Security.
Roman Catholic