Patriot Academy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the flagship arm of The Torch of Freedom Foundation. All donations are tax-deductible.
Copyright 2023 | All Rights Reserved | Patriot Academy
President Reagan said,
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.”
Unless we motivate and equip citizens to take up and advance the torch of freedom, it will extinguish.
We desire to help students be change agents, and give them the tools needed to successfully engage in the political arena and every area of the culture.
Our prayer is that every person who attends a Patriot Academy Event will understand it is their duty and privilege to guard the precious legacy of liberty.
By God’s grace we will raise up patriots who will leading the change in both the public square and the private sector!
Mr. Blackwell is Founder & President of the Leadership Institute since 1979 . The Institute identifies, recruits, trains and places conservatives. Blackwell served in the White House as Special Assistant to President Reagan for Public Liaison. His heart is to help conservatives become effective in the public policy arena.
David Barton is the Founder & President of WallBuilders, a national pro-family organization that presents America’s forgotten history, with an emphasis on our moral, religious and constitutional heritage. He is a best-selling author, with topics being drawn from his massive library of thousands of original writings from the Founding Era. He has been notes as “America’s historian,” and Time Magazine named him one of America’s 25 most influential evangelicals.
After completing studies in theology and religion, Mat Staver completed law school. He is founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, which is a litigation, education and policy entity with offices in Orlando, Lynchburg, and affiliate attorneys in 50 states. Mr. Staver served as Dean of Liberty Univ. School of Law.
Bob McEwen is Senior Advisor with a nationally recognized law firm. Mr. McEwen represented Ohio in the U.S. Congress for six terms, and three terms in the Ohio General Assembly. He operated a successful Real Estate and Development firm, is a leading advocate for pro-family and free-market policy, and maintains an active speaking schedule.
A native New Yorker, George Barna has filled executive roles in politics, marketing, media, research and ministry. He founded the Barna Research Group (now The Barna Group) in 1984 and it became the nation’s leading marketing research firm focused on the intersection of faith and culture. The company has served many para-church ministries, churches, corporations, and non-profits.
Fr. Frank Pavone is one of the most prominent pro-life leaders in the world. He was ordained in 1988. He serves full-time in pro-life causes with his bishop’s consent. He is the National Director of Priests for Life, President of the National Pro-life Religious Council, and Pastoral Director of Silent No More Awareness Campaign and Rachel’s Vineyard, the world’s largest abortion healing ministry.
LTC (Ret.) Brian Birdwell is an Army veteran and Texas State Senator. On Sept 11, 2001, American Flt. 77 was crashed just yards away from his Pentagon office. Severely burned, yet after 39 operations, he made a miraculous recovery. He testifies to his physical healing, and the grace through Christ. Brian and his wife Mel launched Face The Fire Ministries, and authored Refined by Fire: A Family’s Triumph of Love and Faith.
Rabbi Daniel Lapin, known as America’s Rabbi, is a rabbinic scholar, best-selling author and hosts his own radio show. He is an eloquent speaker with the ability to extract life principles from the Bible and share them in a manner that has brought both Jews and Christians closer to their respective faiths. He’s been listed as one of America’s fifty most influential rabbis.
Ernest Angelo, Jr., Managing Partner of Discovery Exploration, had fabulous careers in oil and public service. As a petroleum engineer he mastered exploration and production. As a public servant, he served as Mayor of Midland, Republican National Committeeman, TX Chairman of “Reagan for President”, and on the TX Parks & Wildlife, and Public Safety Commissions.
Dr. Jehle is Executive Director of the Plymouth Rock Foundation. He began studying America’s Christian heritage in 1975. John G. Talcott, Jr. opened his library to Paul, and inspired him to join the Pilgrim Society, and other historical societies. Paul travels nationally and internationally, teaching on America’s Pilgrim and Patriot heritage.
Mr. Tharp is the Chairman & CEO of Allen Tharp LLC of San Antonio, TX. He exhibits the entrepreneurial spirit with his success in the restaurant/food service industry during his career. Mr. Tharp has served as a Government and Legislative Affairs liaison. He has also served as a speaker at various restaurant industry conferences and is an active member of the President’s forum.
Dr. Suzanna Gratia Hupp served five terms in the Texas House of Representatives. Rep. Hupp attended the University of Texas and Texas Chiropractic College, earning a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. The National Rifle Assoc., American Family Assoc., and Free Market Foundation honored her for her accomplishments as a legislator.
Rep. Krause serves citizens of Tarrant Co. in the TX Legislature. He is considered a rising star not only for his intellect, but also for the character and courage he displays as a servant leader. Matt holds a juris doctorate from Liberty Univ. School of Law. He speaks nationally for Wallbuilders, teaches for Liberty Univ. Online, and works in business development for a regional bank.
Gary is a former professional football player, called to youth ministry and founder of Outreach America (for more information, visit OutreachAmerica.org). Gary has spoken to over a million young people on four continents and ministers across the globe at camps, conferences, and churches. He is also a successful business owner passionate about sharing lessons on integrity, teamwork, and unity.
The Honorable Rick Green is a former Texas State Representative, a lawyer, and a successful entrepreneur who has built several businesses from the ground up.
His goal is to help America become salt and light in every area of life and to understand America’s Godly history and foundation. He currently travels the nation speaking for WallBuilders, teaching on the U.S. Constitution, and founded the Torch of Freedom Foundation and Patriot Academy. He resides in Dripping Springs, TX with his wife, Kara, and their entire family.
Kara directs campus development and curriculum development at Patriot Academy.
Born into the Patriot Academy family, Trey spent his formative years traveling the nation on behalf of the organization. While attending grad school at Texas A&M, Trey started the Constitutional Defense program for Patriot Academy. Trey resides in Texas with his wife and their two young children, who are being raised as happy warriors for Christ. When not working, you will find Trey sitting by a campfire with his family, smoking a cigar, and reading old works on philosophy and economics.
The Honorable Rick Green is a former Texas State Representative, a lawyer, and a successful entrepreneur who has built several businesses from the ground up.
His goal is to help America become salt and light in every area of life and to understand America’s Godly history and foundation. He currently travels the nation speaking for WallBuilders, teaching on the U.S. Constitution, and founded the Torch of Freedom Foundation and Patriot Academy. He resides in Dripping Springs, TX with his wife, Kara, and their entire family.
Mark Cole has earned degrees from Baylor, Yale Divinity School, Notre Dame Law School and the U of H Law Center. He is active in pro-life and pro-family causes. Mr. Cole is an attorney for an industrial real estate development company and the author of Lives, Fortunes and Sacred Honor: The Men Who Signed the Declaration of Independence. Mr. Cole is a homeschooling father of four.
Paul Tsika is the Pastoral Adviser to World Wide Dream Builders of Spokane, Washington. He and his wife Billie Kay have ministered in churches, conferences, and camp meetings for almost 45 years. He firmly believes in helping to train young people who will carry the torch of freedom and influence society in a positive and Biblical manner.
Judge Deidra Droupy Voigt has worked as an Administrative Assistant in the Texas House of Representatives since 1999 and currently serves as Justice of the Peace in Gonzales County. She was previously self-employed for over 19 years. Judge Voigt was elected to the Gonzales City Council six times and served as Mayor Pro-Tem for nine years. While working in Gonzales she served on several boards and committees. Judge Voigt resides in historic Gonzales, having raised two children, and is the proud grandmother of two.
Daniel Southerland is a follower of Christ, a strong conservative, and engaged to the amazing Grace Bradley. He enjoys working on campaigns at all levels. He is honored to serve as Governor for the 2024 National Patriot Academy Leadership Congress.
This is Emma Sager’s fourth year attending Leadership Congress. She is so excited for the opportunity to learn and grow alongside all of the students. She is a junior at Cedarville University studying Communications. Outside of school, she enjoys playing violin, reading, writing, traveling and being outdoors, and spending time with her family.
Benjamin has been involved with Patriot Academy since he was a child. He has three older siblings who have all attended Patriot Academy. Benjamin is a born and raised Texan but currently lives in Hot Springs, AR while he interns at Christian Ministries Church. Benjamin plans to become a kids pastor and follow the Lord’s calling for him to go into ministry.
The Torch of Freedom Foundation
PO Box 586
Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Monday - Friday
8 AM - 5 PM Central
