Pete Winstead, E3 Alliance Founding Board Member, dies at 84

Pete Winstead, E3 Alliance Founding Board Member, dies at 84

With profound sadness, we share the passing of Pete Winstead, a loss deeply felt by all of us at E3 Alliance. His absence leaves a void that will be difficult to fill, and his legacy will continue to inspire us.

Pete was the head of Winstead PC law firm and one of E3 Alliance’s founding board members.

Initially, Pete was invited to join the board as our designated ‘education cynic.’ However, he surprised us all by transforming into one of our most fervent advocates, a testament to his unwavering dedication and passion for our cause.

His influence was felt in every aspect of our organization, from helping us choose our name to advocating for our first bumper sticker: Education Equals Economics: Central Texans Building a Blueprint for Our Future.

Susan Dawson, founder and president emeritus of E3 Alliance, recalls, “I often heard him tell the story of our work to others, which went something like this: ‘I see E3 Alliance as Napoleon: charging up the hill in the winter against insurmountable odds, coming through tired, battered, freezing, and hungry, but winning in driving great change in education.’”

Not only a champion of E3 Alliance, Pete was also a former Austinite of the Year and Greater Austin Chamber Chair, along with many other sterling organizations. He was deeply involved in leading our region’s economic, transportation, and civic efforts.

We send our deepest condolences to his wonderful wife, Tomi, and his children. We will miss his honesty, integrity, and quick wit.