Freridge, who officially resigned Oct. 31, has agreed to stay on to help Duke with the transition. Freridge announced her departure Aug. 1, when she declined the option of signing another two-year contract.
Duke, who holds a masters degree in business administration from the University of Oregon, comes to the FSC from Planned Parenthood Health Services of Southwestern Oregon (PPHSSO), where she held the position of vice president. Duke also has served on the Human Rights Commission, and was on the 2004 steering committee that opposed an Oregon ballot measure that would have rewritten state law to prohibit same-sex marriage.
“I am incensed by our government's attack on, and blatant disregard for, the Bill of Rights,” Duke said. “What we view and read and what happens between consenting adults are fundamental freedoms. I am thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to lead an organization that has been so effective at protecting free speech and the right to privacy; an organization that insists upon government accountability.”
For her part, Freridge was happy to see Duke assume the mantle of the FSC.
“I’m delighted to turn over the helm to Diane,” Freridge said. “Because I have every confidence that she will be able to take Free Speech to the next level and serve the industry with vigor and integrity.”
While with PPHSSO over the past six years, Duke was involved in the organization’s strategic planning initiatives, and was responsible for developing and implementing the organization’s annual budget.
“I believe in hiring good people and working with them to remove any barriers to success,” Duke said. “My experiences with an outstanding board of directors, president and staff have taught me the importance of developing an atmosphere that encourages creativity and innovation, always tempered by a sound practice of fiscal responsibility.”
Duke will oversee a number of programs that Freridge championed, including federal lobbying and the creation of more state Free Speech chapters.
“Diane Duke is the ideal person for this demanding position, particularly at this time,” FSC Board Chair Jeffrey Douglas said. “She has extensive management and financial experience in the mainstream nonprofit arena, and is an established champion for individual rights against inappropriate government intrusion. She will pilot the adult industry and its trade association to greater political and economic strength. We are fortunate to have such a leader at our helm.”