Proud Products of Texas Public Schools

Peter Coneway

Harlingen High School
Harlingen CISD

Peter R. Coneway was nominated by President George W. Bush to serve as the U.S. Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein in May 2006. Coneway was sworn in by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on September 7, 2006.

An advisory director with Goldman, Sachs & Co., Coneway joined the firm in 1969 after graduating with an MBA from Stanford University. He founded the Houston office for Goldman Sachs in 1975, was named a general partner in 1978, established the firm’s equities sales, trading, and research division in Tokyo in 1987-88, and then returned to manage the Houston office.

Coneway currently serves as immediate past chairman of the Board of Visitors for The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, trustee of the Texas Heart Institute, trustee of the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, chairman of the Stanford Business School Trust, director of the Greater Houston Partnership, and chairman of the Houston/Harris County Sports Facility Public Advisory Committee.

A 1966 graduate of the College of Business Administration at The University of Texas, Coneway received the Outstanding Young Texas Ex Award in 1983, was appointed to the UT System Board of Regents in 1993, was named a Distinguished Alumnus in October 2003, and received the McCombs Business School Hall of Fame award in 2004.

“Growing up in Harlingen, Texas, and attending public schools, from the first grade through high school and then The University of Texas at Austin, was truly a privilege. Only after studying abroad at The University of Hong Kong on a Rotary Foundation fellowship following graduation from UT and then at Stanford University Graduate School of Business did I realize how fortunate I was to have been a product of the public school system in Texas.

My fondest memories are from Stephen F. Austin Grade School, Gay Junior High, and the only high school at the time in Harlingen—HHS. To this day, some of the best educators I have known were in the Harlingen public school system. Their commitment to excellence, scholarly pursuits, and their dedication to me and my fellow students inspired us to excel, not only in academic settings but also later in life.

My American history teacher, Mr. Jim Werner, stands out in my mind as the high school teacher who most influenced me. Mr. Werner loved American history and led me to share that same passion. As I reflect on the monumental sacrifices made by our forefathers, which were a gift to all Americans—past, present, and future—I am continually reminded of one of my favorite Bible scriptures: ‘To whom much is given, much is required.’

Harlingen’s public schools and Jim Werner gave me more than I can possibly repay.”

—Peter Coneway