Our Academy Leadership
Patriot Academy – Capitol Boot Camps has a bold vision: to equip a new generation of leaders to champion the cause of freedom and truth in government, and in every area of the culture, as we help bring our nation back to our founding principles.
Our Capitol Boot Camps have a proven track record of excellence using a simple four part strategy:
- Train students to understand and influence government policy with a Biblical worldview
- Demonstrate the principles of ethical servant leadership from the Founding Fathers’ perspective
- Teach the political process and essential leadership skills through intense hands-on training
- Inspire students to be salt and light in every area of society & society
President Reagan said,
“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.”
Unless we motivate and equip the next generation 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 Capitol Boot Camp will understand it is their duty and privilege to guard the precious legacy of liberty.
By God’s grace we will raise up a generation who will leading the change in both the public square and the private sector.
Our Board of Advisors
Morton Blackwell
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
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.
Mat Staver
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
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.
George Barna
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.
Father Frank Pavone
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
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
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
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. Paul Jehle
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.
The Honorable Dan Flynn
TX State Representative Flynn is an East Texas newspaper owner with extensive banking experience. He has pushed for teeth in state regulation and licensing of credit bureaus, mortgage brokers and lending institutions. He is also a General in the TX State Guard.
The Honorable Suzanna Hupp
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.
Allen Tharp
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.
The Honorable Matt Krause
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.
Our Executive Leadership
Rick Green, Founder and President
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 Americans to 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.
Nathan Macias, Executive Director
The Honorable Nathan Macias is a former Texas State Representative, a retired USAF Lt Col, an engineer, and educator. He served as VP, Operations for several small businesses. His desire is to build into the lives of individuals in order to develop our nation’s future leaders. He guides and directs the ever expanding footprint and impact of Patriot Academy across the nation. He resides in Bulverde, TX with his bride of 35 years, Susan, with two their seven children. He and Susan have welcomed 4 in-law children, and 5 grandchildren!
Our Board of Directors
Rick Green, Founder and President
Juan Ciscomani
Juan Ciscomani is a 3-time alumnus and former Gov. of Patriot Academy. He is a proud first generation American citizen, having immigrated from Mexico as a young boy. After graduating Cum Laude from the Univ. of AZ, Juan served as a Legislative Assist. in the U.S. Congress. He later ran as a Republican candidate for State Representative. He is focused on servant-leadership and economic opportunity. He currently serves in a key staff position for the AZ Governor. Juan resides in Tucson with his wife Laura, and their six children.
Mark Cole
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
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.
Deidra Voigt
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.
Our Student Leadership
Jackson Allen, Governor of Patriot Academy 2020
Jackson Allen will be attending his 4th year of Patriot Academy. He hails from Georgetown, TX and currently attends Campbell University in North Carolina, majoring in Economics with his intention to attend law school after his undergraduate studies. Jackson truly enjoys reading and public speaking, and hopes to inspire others to pursue conservatism and Christ.
Frank Alegria, Lt. Governor of Patriot Academy 2020
Frank Alegria is a Christian, Constitutionalist, Conservative. A musician on the side, Frank loves studying America’s Christian heritage and writing about it. He is the eldest of seven siblings, and will carry the mantle of the Patriot Academy-Mentorship Program. Frank hopes to impact the incoming freshmen as they prepare for the fantastic experience…their first year at Patriot Academy.
Emma Jaax, House Speaker of Patriot Academy 2020
Emma lives in Boerne, TX (in the TX Hill Country). She is classically trained in the violin, enjoyed competitive speech and debate, and currently serve as administrator for a Landscape and Design company. She enjoys sand volleyball and hopes to complete her education with hopes of attending law school in the future.