RFI Announces David Trimble as Interim President

March 5, 2024, Washington, D.C. – The Religious Freedom Institute (RFI) today announces that David Trimble, RFI’s Vice President for Public Policy and Education, will assume the role of Interim President. Eric Patterson, who has been with RFI since 2019 and served as President since January 2023, is becoming President of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation.

“Eric has been a dear friend and colleague for many years, and I am grateful for the outstanding leadership he has provided to the Religious Freedom Institute,” said RFI’s President Emeritus Tom Farr. “Fortunately, Eric’s steadfast commitment to protecting the persecuted will remain on full display at the VOC Memorial Foundation.”

“We are deeply thankful for Eric’s superb service to RFI, especially during the last year,” said Michael Ortner, Chairman of RFI’s Board of Directors. “As David steps in to lead the organization, I could not be more excited about RFI’s future and its commitment to battling for religious freedom in America and globally.”

Trimble has led RFI’s public policy and educational initiatives since he joined the organization in 2018. He brings a wealth of experience in international affairs, U.S. public policy, and higher education. With a degree in law, success in working with executive and legislative branch offices at the highest levels of federal and state governments, and years of teaching religion at the graduate level, Trimble fully understands the vital roles that education and public policy have in protecting religious freedom for everyone.

Throughout his distinguished career, Trimble has focused on the singular contribution of religious free exercise to the common good in America. He is recognized around the world for his highly effective advocacy on behalf of religious minorities. Trimble’s classroom experience has shaped RFI’s educational initiatives, all of which teach the next generation of leaders the true meaning and value of religious freedom.

“I can think of no one better to lead RFI during this pivotal time,” noted Farr. “David’s passion, vision, and deep experience will enable RFI to grow as the nation’s premier voice of religious freedom in both culture and politics, fighting the ideologies that threaten America’s resolute commitment to this precious constitutional right, domestically and abroad. David will continue his predecessor’s commitment to equipping current and future leaders to defend the free exercise of religion as the heart of American greatness.”

Trimble holds a Juris Doctorate from Texas A&M University School of Law, a Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Bachelor of Arts from Campbellsville University. He has also completed post-graduate studies at both Southwestern and Baylor Universities.

The Religious Freedom Institute (RFI) works to secure religious freedom for everyone, everywhere. RFI is a non-profit, non-partisan organization based in Washington, D.C.