Torch of Freedom Foundation Board of Directors

The Torch of Freedom Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation. All board members and advisory board members serve as volunteers and are not paid.

The Honorable Rick Green, Founder and President
Rick Green and his wife, Kara, have four children. Rick served as a state representative in the Texas Legislature for two terms. He is currently speaking across the nation for Wallbuilders . For more information about Rick please visit his website at www.rickgreen.com .
Kathi Seay
Kathi Seay currently serves as policy adviser to a state representative while sitting on an advisory council for the Texas Department of Health. She most recently held the position of executive director for a statewide public policy organization. Additionally, Ms. Seay served on the school board for Round Rock I.S.D. She and her husband, Jerry, have three children and three grandchildren.
Deidra Voigt, Treasurer
Deidra Voigt was recently elected Justice of the Peace, Pct 1 in Gonzalez, TX and began her court duties in 2011. Prior to that, she worked as an Administrative Assistant in the Texas House of Representatives from 1999 - 2010. Before her work at the Texas Capitol, she was self-employed for over 19 years. Ms. 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. Ms. Voigt resides in historic Gonzales, having raised two children, and is the proud grandmother of two.
Mark Cole
Mark Cole has earned degrees from Baylor, Yale Divinity School, Notre Dame Law School and the University of Houston Law Center. He has been active in pro-life and pro-family causes, having served as treasurer for Texans for Marriage political action committee, assistant treasurer of Texans for Conservative Principles political action committee, and serving as a director of various ministries including the Central Pregnancy Care Center, the Houston Area Pastor's Counsel, and Millennium Relief and Development Services. He is also the former executive director of Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse of Houston. 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 homeschool father of five.
Juan Ciscomani
Juan Ciscomani is a product of the product! He is a three-time graduate of Patriot Academy, including serving a term as Governor after being elected as a freshman member. Juan was one of twenty Hispanic scholars selected for the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Public Policy Fellowship Program. During his fellowship in Washington, DC, Juan worked on banking and finance issues as a Legislative Assistant in the House of Representatives. Juan served on the Pima Community College Foundation Board of Directors and recently ran for Arizona State Representative. He and his wife, Laura, have two children.
Paul Tsika
Paul Tsika is the Pastoral Advisor to World Wide Dream Builders of Spokane, Washington. He and his wife Billie Kay have been ministering in churches, conferences, and camp meetings for almost 40 years. Paul joined the Torch of Freedom Foundation Board in 2009. 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. Pastor Tsika and his wife have two sons, a daughter and six grandchildren.
Sam Turk
General Sam Turk has served a long and distinguished career in the National Guard. In January 1993, he was appointed Adjutant General of Texas. As Adjutant General of Texas, he was in direct charge of the military forces of Texas, including the Army National Guard, Air National Guard and State Guard. He was responsible to the Governor of Texas for the proper administration, training and readiness of all soldiers and airmen. General Turk worked for Governors Ann Richards and George W. Bush, before he retired after 41 years of military service at the rank of Lieutenant General. Gen. Turk lives with his wife Pat in Gonzales, near their three children. The Turks have five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.



Advisory Board

The Honorable Dan Flynn
Representative Flynn is an East Texas newspaper owner with extensive banking experience, and played an instrumental role in the House Investigating Committee's probe of the Human Rights Commission and other issues. Among other accomplishments, he pushed for teeth in state regulation and licensing of credit bureaus, passed bills to strengthen laws state activities involving mortgage brokers and lending practices, and led the push to improve state funding process for regional planning commissions.
The Honorable Suzanna Hupp
Dr. Suzanna Gratia Hupp served five terms in the Texas House of Representatives. Suzanna attended the University of Texas and Texas Chiropractic College, graduating with a Doctor of Chiropractic degree. She has been honored for her accomplishments as a legislator by the National Rifle Association, the American Family Association, and the Free Market Foundation. Suzanna and her husband Greg own a small Arabian horse breeding ranch at their home in Lampasas county.
Allen Tharp
Mr. Tharp is the Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Allen Tharp LLC of San Antonio, Texas. He exhibits the entrepreneurial spirit as he has been involved in the restaurant/hospitality industry as well as construction work during his career. Mr. Tharp has served as a liaison for Government and Legislative Affairs. He has also served as a speaker at various restaurant industry conferences and is an active member of the President's forum.
Morton Blackwell
Mr. Blackwell is founder and president of the Leadership Institute . He founded the Institute in 1979 to identify, recruit, train and place conservatives. Mr. Blackwell served on the White House Staff as Special Assistant to President Reagan for Public Liaison. He has worked nationally since 1960 to help conservatives beome effective in the public policy process.
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