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I will dearly miss Pete's "stop by" at our desks. Asking how our families and children are, how wedding plans are going, what's new... it was obvious that he was a people person and he strived to make meaningful connections with all of those around him. I am filled with such immense gratitude that I have been able to call Fusion my home for the last 5+ years. Fusion has been so positively impactful on the person I am today-as a leader, partner and even parent. Thank you, Pete, for creating an environment that encourages change and innovation, and pushes us to learn just how powerful and impactful we can be, when we come together with a united vision. With sincere and genuine gratitude, thank you, Pete.
-NG

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Pete set an example for us all in his commitment to excellence and the way he led. Whenever I saw Pete, he was interested, cared personally, and always had a word of wisdom or encouragement. I loved how he recognized the meaning in the work we do and the team we have, and led us to serve with excellence and fun.

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Whenever I'm interviewing a candidate and they ask me why I've stayed at Fusion for so long, I get so excited. See, this is my favorite question. This is the magic of Fusion and why I, and so many of us, have stayed here so long. I always start gushing about how I really love working for really GOOD people and how that's important to me. You can always find a job that is more this or that... but you cannot find a job working for a better team of people who actually care about their employees and that came right from the top. It was clear Pete cared about me. He cared about how my husband was doing, how his job was going. He cared about my daughter & what she was learning. He cared about doing right by us, our employees, our students. I am grateful to him that he hired a team around him who shared his vision and that has continued down on every level of this company. Thank you, Pete for changing all of our lives. <3

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I can hear Pete saying “ Hey Mariss, how’s Penelope?” . He always called me Mariss instead of Marissa, even in the most important meeting settings. I’d like to think that was because no matter what happened in the work place, to him, we were his people. We were his tribe and he loved us.
He said he always remembered my daughter Penelope’s name because it was his daughter’s middle name. He was so proud of his daughter, Grace. He was proud of all his kids but for some reason he would always share updates about Grace with me and I loved to see him light up while talking about being a dad.
He always had new ideas which we would often joke around about because after we would tell him “no more new things”, he would send an email a few days later with a new idea. Now I’ll look back and laugh because it was so “Pete”.
I’ll miss him and his energy. He was a gift to so many people and I thank his family for sharing him with us. He spent his time doing so much good and his legacy will live on.
- Marissa Johnson

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Pete took a chance on me.

He believed in me at a time when change and uncertainty had me doubting myself.

I was still at Futures when I traveled to Grand Rapids to attend a board meeting in 2019. At dinner that night, Pete asked me about my story. He asked me about how I got to California from midwest Cleveland.

“Do you want the short or long version?” I said.

“The long one...”.

He wanted to hear about my family. We exchanged stories about my time at OSU. We talked about our shared ties to growing up in Ohio.  He listened as though I was the only person in the room. Many of you had the same experience when sharing your stories with Pete. He truly cared.

Pete offered me a role on his Executive team to lead Education and I soon learned, it was so much more than a promotion. It was an opportunity to join a loyal Fusion family. It was an opportunity to grow and push myself. To risk, lead, serve, and learn from him and so many others.

I keep hearing his voice, “Hey kid…”.

I can’t lie, I used to get kind of pissed that he would call me that :) But, I soon realized what an honor it was. See, Pete believing in me and taking me under his wing not only ushered me into becoming an Exec team member at Fusion but also a wife, a mother and the empowered leader he saw in me before I saw it in myself. So many of us who he mentored and have “grown” up with FEG over the last 10-15 years, no matter what age, were considered his kids. I was privileged to be one of those.

Pete loved to call and talk to me about new ideas for our Ed program. He would shuffle through papers and emails and we would jump from topic to topic. He expressed a profound interest for what we were working on. He asked questions, connected me to others who could support along the way, and championed me and my Ed team in the best way he knew how.

Pete had such an immense passion for what we do. He was so excited about who we are becoming. He believed profoundly in what we’re capable of. He showed up this way in weekly meetings, 1:1’s, dinners, strategy sessions. It fired me up. It inspired me. I grew so loyal to Pete and to Fusion that nothing could get in the way of the soul line work we were brought together to accomplish.

He has left us with such a beautiful charge and model for living a life for others.

•••••

Pete, I am so humbled by the way you showed up for me, mentored me and believed in me.

You changed my life as you have the lives of so many others. I would never have my Fusion family without you. I would never have met my husband and had my 2 beautiful kids without you. YOU CHANGED MY LIFE. 💜Thank you for taking a chance on me. Thank you for being one of my champions. I am forever grateful. I’ll miss you.
~Lynna

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Pete was an incredible man.  He made an impact on so many of us.  My memories of Pete all take place mostly at EPIC!  Pete was a great storyteller, and it was hard not to feel inspired listening to him speak.  His smile alone would light up a room. He had a way about him that made you feel so special and energized. Pete’s legacy will continue to grow and we will make him proud.  Pete, we will deeply miss you.  Michelle Blasberg

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Looking back over 23 years working together, I can’t possibly list all of the reasons why Pete’s impact on me (and so many others) will last a lifetime. Pete built wildly successful teams but he also believed in the power of one—the ability of each of us to make a difference. So he built— idea after idea, organization after organization — from a seemingly never ending wellspring of insights into what the important issues are in education and how to take the crucial first step toward solutions. Pete once said, ‘‘People who stay in the middle of the road get run over.’’ This isn’t always the popular course in an industry that relies on years of precedent to inform action, typically perpetuating a variation of some proven approach rather than forging new ground. Pete forged new ground. Don’t get me wrong. Pete wasn’t a saint. He was a charming, complex, thoughtful, and sometimes frustrating real person. As with anyone pursuing important ideas with human energies, he might have even needed some cleaning up after now and then. 😊 But rest assured, wherever business was headed, Pete was sure to be in the middle of the action. The future of education belongs to people like Pete who give freely of their time and energy, people who see the possibilities before they become obvious. And then there are the things that weren’t on Pete’s résumé: He couldn’t build IKEA furniture to save his life, his laptop had more RAM than Microsoft’s headquarters yet he didn’t know how to use a pivot table, and he was the world’s best dad in a homemade card. Above all that he accomplished professionally, Pete was a wonderful, husband, father, son, brother, and very dear friend. - Jenny DeLessio

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In almost every conversation, courage was a subtle strength that Pete held in his heart. Whether talking about Fusion culture, enrollment, hiring, EPIC! Summit, and/or an upset parent, he was the one in the room with the out-of-the-box solution. He never wavered from this sentiment and I'll always admire that.
-Jenn Robinson

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The last conversation I had with Pete was at our EPIC! Summit just a few weeks ago.  This memory is a reminder of how much Pete cared about each individual person that he worked with, encountered, and led.  I reached out to Pete before EPIC! to have a conversation with him about my development and Future at FEG.  I understood how busy Pete was, given EPIC! was right around the corner...and he's a CEO to begin with (a busy guy!). Nonetheless, he emailed me the next day expressing how thrilled he'd be for a chat, and that he could make time for me during  EPIC!....and he did.  He made sure to find me and take some time out of one of the most important events of the year to listen to my thoughts and ideas.  That's just the kind of leader and person Pete was. His values showed up in every interaction you had with him, and he always made you feel seen and cared for.  I'm forever grateful for his vision, leadership and compassion.  Pete, we're going to miss you...big time!
Lauren Giusti

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One thing that always stuck out to me about Pete was his passion to know everyone. You rarely saw him sitting at EPIC! He was always mingling and getting to know others. Not just from a business standpoint, because he really cared who you were and that just made everyone feel unbelievably special. I loved hearing him talk about his family, his wife, children. His passion extended far beyond Fusion and he was so open and passionate about sharing his journey. He will be so missed, and these shoes will never be able to be filled. Nicole Fitzgerald

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Coming into Fusion over a year ago I was not sure if such an organization was too good to be true. It was not until I went to EPIC! and met Pete and heard his passion, energy and compassion that I knew this was the real deal. Pete inspired me and made me want to fight for his dream as well. He was warm, approachable and sincere. I will definitely miss his energy but I am determined to keep his dream alive of a meaninful education for every kid.

Jason Lions, Los Angeles & Miracle Mile

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From one of the early letters he sent me 20+ years ago at National Heritage Academies when he still called me Jennifer, to the most recent letters he sent me when he called me Jenny Mey Mey….I kept them all.  He came into my life in 2000, the same year I lost my dad.  He had so many of the same qualities of my dad....which is why he was extra special to me.  Just like my dad, Pete was a dynamic, charismatic, influential and downright brilliant CEO so I naturally wanted to make him proud. While I am grateful for my time at NHA, it was at American Education Group where I was able to really get to know Pete. Suddenly I was working much closer with the CEO that I had admired from afar at NHA because there were only a handful of us at the AEG corporate office.  I will always be grateful for those early days above Hopcat.  As I got to know him better over the last 23+ years, he not only encouraged my professional growth, but he celebrated my personal uniqueness…what other CEO holds the microphone for you while you do your horse impression at a work function and is more proud of your duet with a member of the New Kids on the Block than some of your own family members?!  I realized he has been a constant figure in my life for half of my life.  He was more than a leader…he was a magnet!!  I challenge you to think of Pete and not smile...impossible.  I will miss his texts before every board meeting asking “what number are we at now?!” and passing his office and hearing "Hi Jenny Mey Mey" to which I responded "Hi Peter".  My love goes out to his Fusion family but most of all to his own family…his love for them was truly “limitless”.  PGR, it’s been my privilege to join you on your Fusion journey at the very first replication and to support your BHAG to open 100 revolutionary schools.  Thank you for giving me this opportunity & for changing my life.  We are so close, Pete.  And when we get to 100, we will ring the gong just for you.

- Jenny Meyer

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I'll always remember Pete's passion for education, and for the teachers, students, and parents of Fusion. He encouraged us to have BHAGs with our campus vision, and I'll make sure to keep that in his memory for the rest of my career.
I'll also never forget his wearing a kilt to an EPIC! whiskey tasting!

Sam Libretti, Fusion Oak Brook

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From my first conversation with Pete I felt his genuine care about getting to know me and he always made you felt like he cared about you and what is going on in your life.  He never made you feel like he was the CEO when chatting, you felt like you were talking to a colleague or friend.  I will miss having him walk by my desk and taking a general interest to what is going on with me and making time for everyone he sees.  I will miss his contagious positivity.

-Jeremy Z.

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It's a rare experience to work for someone who truly cares about every individual in their organization, knows employees at every level by name and is never too busy to stop and connect. He really led by example and his impact will not be forgotten.

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Pete and I worked on words together a lot over my almost nine years at Fusion. From time to time I got to write the first draft of something for him. He was fun to write for because his words were always positive, energetic, celebratory, and meaningful. That’s who he was as a person.

When working with him on certain pieces or video messages he worked hard to get the words right, not because he wanted to be seen a certain way, but because what we do is so important and he wanted to make sure that got through. He was incredibly humble and never wanted the spotlight on him, he always wanted it to be about the important work we do. As he often said “we’re not in the business of making widgets, we’re in the business of changing lives.” His passion was contagious and will continue to live on.

Even though I was younger and had way less experience than him, he trusted me and listened to my thoughts. There were times we didn’t agree on something but he never said “I’m the CEO so we’re doing it my way.” That’s not who he was. He was always open to a conversation. He made me feel seen, heard, cared for, and celebrated. I was one of many people who worked for him but he knew me as an individual. The vision he set and the culture he created at Fusion Education Group has shaped me and helped me grow in so many ways.

I’ll miss his visits to our desks when in the office and him leading weekly huddles. I’ll miss his one-line emails with ideas he wanted to share. I’ll miss him asking to keep the bar open for one more hour at company events because everyone was still enjoying each other’s company and he didn’t want it to end.

He was the "!" embodied and he is missed. - Melissa Kersjes

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Pete cared about all of us having fun.  He wanted to make sure every event, every gathering was truly Epic! When I get asked why I like about my job, he was always one of the main reasons why I enjoyed what I did everyday. He had such a joyous infectious spirit. He always made you feel like you were important.  “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou

Blessed to know you. - Kayla Quanstrom

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Pete was great at inspiring and encouraging his employees to live out Fusion's goals and company culture. He always made sure to come around the office & greet everybody by name. You could tell that he cared about his employees, and he created a welcoming and fun work environment. He made a tremendous impact on so many people's lives and will be sincerely missed.

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I came away from every single conversation with Pete excited. Excited for the company, excited for the future, or just excited.  After he left NHA, that's one thing I missed.  I was so excited to get to come work for him again at Fusion to have that energy again. Who has that gift???!  Literally, every single conversation.  I'm going to miss that, and everything else.  Simply a gift. - Holly Shoemaker

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I came away from every single conversation with Pete excited. Excited for the company, excited for the future, or just excited.  After he left NHA, that's one thing I missed.  I was so excited to get to come work for him again at Fusion to have that energy again. Who has that gift???!  Literally, every single conversation.  I'm going to miss that, and everything else.  Simply a gift. - Holly Shoemaker

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Culture is everything! (yes it's that important to Pete)

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Culture is everything! (yes it's that important to Pete)

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Pete was insistent on keeping our culture fun and exciting and warm and personal. He was front and center with all the fun events.

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Pete was SO good at celebrating people. He loved it. We know the EPIC! Awards night was his favorite night of the year, but he celebrated so many things every day. He took the time to write notes, send emails, follow up, seek you out. He created a culture where it was okay to take a break to celebrate someone else, it was encouraged. I love that this will continue on because of the way he modeled it for us.

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I remember in our "library" at homebase there was a list of Pete's top 5 favorite books. I decided to read one of them called "The Compound Effect". It dived into how the compound effect isn't just used with money but in all aspects of life. When we do the same things over and over again, the results begin to compound, and over time these small acts turn into huge results. Well, there was one piece where the author talks about how he gave a friend (who was a leader of a business) tips on how to help make his teams more productive. The tip was not to push them harder, or give them more work, but to walk around daily or weekly and just talk to them and ask how they are. Immediately it clicked for me, because that's exactly what Pete always did! Every single week he would come around and just check in with everyone and ask them personal questions. I have no doubt he had a compound effect on our teams with just his eagerness to learn about us, his passion, and friendliness. We will continue to keep his passion going at Fusion!

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Creating a vision where an entire organization of people from different backgrounds, expertise and dedication to improving education is no small feat. Pete knew how to bring together the very best, through one small word: EPIC! He was able to accomplish this, because he lived it every day. He never settled for less than Excellence, and encouraged us to do the same. His Passion for pursuing the best educational experience that our students, teachers, and all Fusionites could have, was never compromised. He consistently led with Innovation, taking the angle of "Hey, if it doesn't work perfectly, that's okay - at least you have to try to keep moving things forward.". His Courage was modeled every day, month and year - sharing stories at our EPIC event about how he started American Education Group, and that with persistence and dedication, what we do MATTERS...because we are not in the business of making widgets, we are in the business of changing lives - Pete truly was That Important!

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I began my Fusion journey 8 years as a scheduling assistant on the Park Avenue campus in NYC. It was a part-time gig meant to supplement income to avoid waiting tables. I'd schedule classes for the DSD, make it work, collect my paycheck. I met Pete during my first week at Fusion when he visited our campus. He shook my hand and went on and on about how important my role was at the campus and without it, nothing would be in NPA (now Matrix) and no students would know where to go and when. His passion and warmth made me feel important, and I began taking incredible pride in my work. I began covering for the DFI, picked up some classes, and eventually took over the role of Interim DSD and Electives Department Head. Through amazing leaders at Fusion, and Pete, giving me wonderful opportunities, I embraced new roles and new challenges and overcame my self doubt chapter by chapter. During highs and lows of my journey at Park Avenue, Pete assured me that my leadership and passion were exactly what our company needed and that I wasn't "too much" as too often self-proclaimed. We were able to share a drink together at this year's EPIC! and toast to the amazing things to come in community and student connection at FEG. I will treasure that forever and carry his legacy of love and joy forward with me in my work at Fusion. Into paradise, may the angels lead you, my friend. Forever grateful, forever will miss you.

-JTalk

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It can’t be said enough. Pete’s dedication to customizing and changing education was truly inspiring. As a leader, Pete was honest, accountable, and most importantly, kind. As Fusion took off, he never forgot about Barnstable. I still remember those first years when Pete came out to strat plan with our school. He had such a way of truly listening to the staff. As the years progressed and FEG grew, he still maintained the same interest and excitement listening to updates about Barnstable, as well as my family. Pete also loved sharing proud updates of his family. He is one of a kind and will truly be missed. With love and appreciation, Ashley

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It is with great sadness and heavy hearts today to say goodbye to a boss, friend, mentor, and role model. Peter Ruppert was an incredible man with a kind and gentle heart. He touched the lives of many. I met him through mutual relations with my family, and he did everything he could to help me get a teaching job for his company Fusion Global Academy. After some hard work and patience; I was hired on as a teacher for FGA. Working for Fusion since then has been nothing but a true blessing and it is all thanks to you. I have grown, healed, and have been given the opportunity make an impact on the lives of others. I have also met so many other wonderful people through your connection Pete.

Your words about failure being our greatest teacher and to always embrace it instead of running away from it inspires me everyday. When I heard the news of your passing; I was in the midst of finishing up a big FGA summer project on course development. Though I went through shock, denial, and grief: Your spirit was with me every step of the way with me while I worked on finishing these new course plans up which will be going out to FGA’s students this fall. My next step is to finish your book “Limitless” which I remember you being so thrilled when I told you I had picked myself up a copy. Thank you so much for the impact you have had on me Peter. You are a true friend and will be in my heart always.

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Pete exuded passion in everything he did, and that passion trickled down to so many of us at Fusion. We were so blessed to have had him lead the way with his amazing energy for a time that was cut short, but I will continue to be passionate about my work at Fusion and live like Pete.

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At the FGA tribute meeting, I was awestruck by the number of people who had never even met Pete, but were still impacted and positively influenced by him. Pete is one of a kind, and I'm grateful to him for bringing us along in this dream of his.

In meetings I attended with Pete, he never talked a lot--but when he talked, everyone listened because his comments were insightful and either propelled the conversation forward or caused us to u-turn in the most productive way. I am personally grateful to have had a close-up view of his warm charisma, his unfailing high standards, and his remarkable ability to cut through the noise and refocus us on the most important issues.

Pete's shoes can never be filled, but I hope that we can achieve his dream.

- Catherine Otto

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When I think of Pete I automatically think, "Failure is simply one step closer toward success."

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I had the honor of meeting Pete when I was at Dallas during my first year after I chose to leave college teaching and come to Fusion full time. It was a brief meeting in the doorway of my classroom - but the first thing Pete did was smile and then come into my room and ask why I taught at Fusion. I'll never forget his warmth and smiles and nods as we talked about teaching and love. I've been at Fusion 8 years now and will never go to another school because the message of love, motivate, teach is the road map to a student's heart.  He will be greatly missed as the heart of culture - but together we can continue to craft his dream!

-Marion P.

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I always looked forward to reading his reflections.  They were all very inspiring.   He will be missed!

Janet Gibson

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I looked forward to Pete's emails every week.  One time I emailed him back because one of his emails discussed leadership and how to lead.  I did not expect him to email back, but he did, and he was so nice and humble.

-Jenine Krakra

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Pete was a leader in the truest sense of the word. He lived and breathed our Fusion values, with a standard of excellence that inspired me as a leader. He was our culture touchstone and our visionary. He will continue to inspire me to live by his example, and carry on his legacy. ~ Mel Sarkissian, Warner Center

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Pete was a wonderful leader without his contributions I wouldn't be where I am today. I'm grateful to have had the chance to meet him and connect with him during the past few EPICs. He will greatly be missed.
Sara Y.

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Pete had such a great Passion for Fusion. I enjoyed his presence in the company and he always stopped to talk to everyone. He will be greatly missed.

- Loren R.

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Fusion Franklin's First Ever Day of School

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Pete was so important to our campus and our teachers. This picture sums that up. On our very first day of school last year, Pete was in town for a family event and put his plans on hold to come visit us in the morning. He brought us bagels, and he took time to sit with me and chat about my life and my family. Most importantly, he spent lunch with our teachers and asked them for feedback on opening a new school and how FEG could improve the process for teachers. I can't tell you how many times our staff has mentioned that 45 minutes that Pete put everything aside and listened to them and really heard them. Even though our campus is only a year old, we were impacted by the importance Pete placed on his work family and our new schools.

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Pete was notorious for showing up, fully with so much love and energy for the person right in front of him. You know he always wanted to be there and present with you, wherever he was. He was authentically invested in the work that we do. We will continue to make you proud and are so grateful for the impact that he gave hundreds of thousands of students, staff & families! With love always, Tiffany

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Pete was one of the most inspiring people I have ever met. Every single time I met with him, I left feeling like I had it in me to be better, do better and accomplish more. I would listen to him speak and be in constant awe of all he has accomplished and the mindset he maintained.
Spending 5 minutes with Pete was enough to truly understand the mission of Fusion. He radiated compassion, kindness, an unwavering belief in what we do and the best growth mindset i've ever seen. To be near him and learn from him was a gift and an honor. - Lauren (MC)

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Pete was one of those rare people that instantly made you want to follow his lead. He was so incredibly passionate about what we do at Fusion, impacting the lives of kids, and changing the education system. He had an infectious enthusiasm about him that made you believe even the craziest BHAG could be achieved, and you knew you were going to have the time of your life taking the hill. I worked with and around Pete for over 12 years and have heard many updates, pep talks, rally cries, and always felt supercharged after being around him. Like everyone, I loved the whistling story, or his “We Got This” speech but it was always his genuine heart that struck me as truly special. He cared so deeply about people. If you ever had the opportunity to speak with Pete, you felt like you were the most important person in the room. I consider myself extremely lucky to have worked with Pete. I am a better leader and a better person because of the last 12 years. Thank you, Pete! Make sure you whistle nice and loud so God knows you are on the way.
- Brad Astin

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Pete, you are going to be so missed.  Thank you for your drive and vision.  Without it, none of us would have a career we love and believe in.  One that not only provides our livelihoods, but one that allows us to truly make an impact in the world.  Because of you we have a space to be agents of change in the lives of young men and women.  Because of you we’ve remained grounded in our mission, and values.  You’ve invested so much in us, and have provided so many opportunities for us to remain rooted in our values.  You were always so kind in our interactions.  You were so kind and personable in your interactions with everyone throughout the organization.  You’ll be missed Pete, but although you’re no longer with us your legacy will live on forever through all those you impacted and through Fusion.  Thank you Pete.  Thank you for being a great leader, and more importantly thank you for being a great human.

-Hojjat

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Although there were few personal interactions with Pete, the ones that I had, felt as if I mattered and felt authentic. This past EPIC! we saw each other in the food line and Pete remembered our first encounter in Boca Raton, where our team sat and ate dinner with his family. I was so new and so nervous, yet by the end of the dinner, I felt like he was just another parent or friend I was comparing stories about our children with. He left such an impression on me. I knew that I had signed on with a company that had a leader who was so humble and really cared about the students we serve. Pete wasn't just a pic/bio on a organizations page, everyone felt like they actually knew Pete. This is so rare and I'm so happy that I became a part of his team. I will always remember EPIC! 2023 and that last huddle. I stood right behind him with my hands up to the sky. Thanks Pete, for making an impact in our lives. We're ready to continue with your vision.

Amanda Taylor

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There is a saying. “People don’t quit a company, they quit their boss.” After having been with Pete for 26 years, with him as my boss for 24 years, I can assure all of us that no one quit on Pete. He was inspirational, and it was a privilege and honor to work for him for over 2 decades. Pete will be missed, and we will carry on his legacy.  Jeff Poole

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My first year at HomeBase was in 2015 and FEG was split over 3 floors at 77 Monroe Center. I remember occasionally adventuring to the 12th floor where most of FEG's staff was located, while Accounting was on the 6th floor. I remember our weekly Monday huddle was everyone squeezing into the space by the marketing offices on 12 and sometimes needing to look around the corner to see Pete hosting as we continued to grow.

When we finally moved into our new space across the street and were so much closer to our coworkers, it was then that Pete's office was right down the hall from my desk. And it was then when Fusion became like my second home. I admired Pete, from how caring he was, to his compassion, and his dedication to the mission of revolutionizing education, to how he made sure HomeBase felt like a warm and welcoming Fusion campus. So much so that a couple walking down the street once walked into the office thinking we were a school campus and wanted to learn more.

Pete walked the walk, he was never just talk. My favorite memory to share is that Pete would make it a point to walk through the entire office weekly to say hi and check in with every single employee, he'd ask how you were doing and about your family and life. Whenever a new employee started we would get to know them at our weekly office huddle with Pete putting them in the "hot seat" and asking questions like where they went to school, about their family, hobbies, etc. I loved that he made it a point for not just him, but everyone to be welcoming of new employees, including interns. It's part of what makes Fusion's culture so amazing. Culture was so important to Pete, and I know we will continue to build on that legacy for our students most importantly, but also for Fusion. Pete's legacy will continue to live on through all of those whose lives he impacted. I will always strive to match your level of Passion, Pete.
Love and hugs,
Madison

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I will always remember Pete not for his extraordinary vision, but for having an infectious smile every time I saw him.  He approached challenges with resilience and carried a spirit that made every encounter impactful. His influence, particularly his positivity will leave a lasting impression on me. His legacy will continue to serve as an example for me in maintaining positivity amid all circumstances. Thank you Pete!
-Tristan

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One of Pete's favorite quotes that will forever be one of my fondest memories of him, and speaks to the leader he constantly strove to be. He led by example, whether it be through constantly seeking to understand, learning and sharing his learnings with us, or setting a fun, wacky example and dressing up for EPIC! - as pictured here in one of my most favorite pictures of Pete and Jeff. Truly setting an example of what leading with heart can look like. Karina

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Many years ago, we had to take a shuttle from the EPIC event in Vail back to the airport - over an hour drive. It was the end of the event, dozens of people were loading in for the haul, and I took a seat near the front alone. Pete boarded a minute or so later and sat down right next to me, much to my surprise. But he soon set me at ease. We talked during the drive and he made me feel like I deserved his time and attention. He gave me advice and listened to my ideas. He took out blank template pages from a pocket and shared how he used this tool to organize his responsibilities and priorities. I used to think that this memory was special because he took the time to get to know me and stay "on" even after the huge sprint that EPIC is. But later as I saw him more and more, realizing it wasn't a rare occurrence, it wasn't being "on" for him - it was just him honestly caring.     Pete exemplified drive, integrity and genuine conviction as he encouraged all of us to innovate, get better at what we do, and achieve our potential. I will miss you, Pete.      - David

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I was the DFI mentioned in one of these notes about the wonderful impact Pete had. I cannot echo what my Campus Director said enough about that interaction. I met Pete once when he came to visit our campus and it was one of the most rewarding professional and personal experiences of my life. Fusion and all that it stands for is a model I could have strongly benefited. I had the opportunity to sit down with him and explain what this job means to me and how I finally get to be the person I needed when I was little to our students. Pete was very touched by my story and I later found out he asked about me at Epic! this year. One of the most gentle, kind, loving, caring and authentic men I have ever met.

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Pete. Just EPIC! in every way. Especially as Elton John. <3

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If you're not from HomeBase then you don't know this. Pete would walk around and greet every single person. He knew us all by name, by our kids, our pets and our hobbies. He made each one of us feel we were the most important person to FEG's success.

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It was 2010 when my life was drastically changed meeting Michelle Rose Gilman and Pete. They took a chance to bring me on in a unique outreach position to help open the first Fusion schools across Southern California and eventually the country. Pete had an energy that was contagious, and a vision that fired up the room. It was something I had never witnessed in my life in a leader. It was magical.

He always had time to listen, I mean, really listen, to any ideas I had. He went out of his way to give me feedback. I can still hear his voice loudly saying “Hey Tye Tye” when he would see me at events or walking around the office on one of my visits. The legacy he has left is one to be admired and the impact he’s had on so many.

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Pete's favorite night of the year was EPIC! awards night celebrating all the Fusion community for their hard work! He was so proud of all of you. You've got this! You will continue to crush it.

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As CEO, he loved to show we can work hard but also have fun! He would put any costume on, no matter what you asked him to do. From dressing up at many EPIC! summits, to holiday parties, to homebase events, he loved to have fun and make people smile.

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Pete was the most incredible person who loved his family and the Fusion community. We all need to in his words "CRUSH IT" in honor of his legacy. Let's make him proud and continue reaching out and changing kid's lives.

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Someone who really SAW his Fusion family

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Someone who really SAW his Fusion family

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Extremely long story short, when I started at Fusion in 2017, I wrote about how I was loving it (and why), and found it on the front inside page of the 2018 Impact report, followed up by a personal email from Pete. That meant a lot to me as a longtime journeyman teacher who never really felt like part of a campus community! Flash forward, I'm now at FGA, and I read Pete's book...it had a big impact on me, and it felt liberating and meaningful to break out a pen and write in the areas of his book where he asks readers to write down their ideas and visions for themselves, no matter how big! I emailed Pete about how much his book meant to me, and that I had ideas myself...and he met with me multiple times this summer (including one that was set for today) to talk about my visions for the company! Talk about someone who SAW you...Pete cared a lot, and he was a great listener and compassionate person. What a terrible loss. He made such a positive impact on so many people.
-Russell Jaffe

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Pete would always take the time to listen, understand the challenge, and to help you identify the next steps to the solution. Not every CEO does that; he was humble, personable, approachable, he was just Pete!

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Pete would always take the time to listen, understand the challenge, and to help you identify the next steps to the solution. Not every CEO does that; he was humble, personable, approachable, he was just Pete!

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I often received emails with random ideas or "what ifs" that we jokingly/lovingly called "Pete love notes." Sometimes they were great innovations and I could run with them. Sometimes I had to push back because it wasn't possible or we had tried something similar and I had the data to show. He was always open to a conversation about it and never told me "No, just go do it because I'm the CEO" - that was not the kind of person he was. I'm going to miss those emails!

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Pete was such a gift... He was kind, compassionate, caring, and always went the extra mile. His natural curiosity led him to his great successes including growing Fusion to what it is today, being an outstanding leader, and mentor to many. He made such an impact on us, our teachers, and our kids. He really celebrated alongside us the good times, and owned the not so good times. He was a complete exemplar leader; lit up all the rooms he entered but also had a magical way of making you individually feel seen and heard in a busy room. Forever will be missed -Maggie

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Pete possessed a unique gift for connecting with people, regardless of whether they had known him for years or just a few weeks. He had a way of treating everyone like a close friend. Not many CEOs of large companies can claim to know their employees by name, but Pete was different. He made it a point to personally walk around the office at homebase, addressing everyone by name and inquiring about their well-being, their families, and more. Through this, he fostered a safe and supportive environment where everyone felt encouraged to be themselves and embrace both their strengths and weaknesses. Pete's absence will undoubtedly leave a significant void. I have faith that we, as a team, can carry forward his legacy and uphold his inspiring vision for Fusion. - Kristen

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Pete just always knew. He knew your name. He knew what you did. He knew if you were struggling, and if you were being celebrated. And, he knew all these things even before you had a moment to even think about sharing it. It's just like the moment I first met Pete. I had joined Fusion in August, and was entering the strange world of EPIC! in October. Assuming I probably wouldn't have many opportunities to meet the CEO of my company (who does?), I thought I'd take that opportunity, and walked up to Pete. While doing so, I rehearsed in my head how I'd say hello, and my name, and my position, and my campus. And, literally, in the middle of saying hi, Pete, without pause, caught my eye, concertedly walked up to me with hand held out to shake, and quickly said, "Hi Katheryn! How are things going in Pasadena?" I was so shocked by all that, and how in one breath, Pete wrapped up all the points I was going to make in my introduction, and most of all, how he already KNEW me. He just knew. A few years later, I asked him how he knew everyone's names, and he chuckled and said he really didn't. But, he did. He knew. I hope he also knew how much we all respected, admired, and loved him. Because what I know is what an incredible human he was and will live on to be in our Fusion legacy. - Katheryn

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A leader who wanted to know his people...

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A leader who wanted to know his people...

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I have known Pete for several years, and one thing that always stuck out to me was his kindness to people. Whether you are a student, teacher, admin or support staff on campus, Pete wanted to take time to talk to you and get to know you. The last conversation I had with Pete was at EPIC 2023. He asked me about my life and my family. He made me feel important and known. I know he did this for so many of us. Pete is missed so much already and he will continue to be missed. I admire his leadership as our CEO and his ability to build meaningful relationships with so many of us.

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understood how down to earth he could be. Last day of EPIC! 2019 in Vegas, my husband came to meet me and stay for the weekend. Pete was walking by us, stopped, and greeted my husband. He didn't have to. He was busy. But that was Pete-always making time to say hi and getting to know others. There will be a void- a really big void at Fusion without Pete. How we must all carry on his legacy. Kelli

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I didn't read all of Pete's Leadership Moments, but when I did, it always resonated. He was someone who consistently exemplified everything he asked of us. It's one thing to know what to do to grow and improve; it's another thing to do it. Pete did it. Every day.
All peace and love,
Mitch

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Pete may have been the CEO of Fusion but he was one of us too. I will never forget the bus ride back to Grand Rapids HQ from EPIC 2019 in Chicago when Pete rode back with us Accounting people and other office staff and handed out box lunches and just hung out with us talking and laughing.  I left Fusion in 2020 and had the luxury of coming back 7 months later and Pete was one of the reasons I was so happy to return. He was the the best. - Mary T.

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Pete made me feel incredibly welcome and appreciated. I'm so grateful to be a part of the family he has helped to build, and I'm honored to help continue to bring his vision to life.

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Who Could Ever Forget THIS EPIC! performance

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Who Could Ever Forget THIS EPIC! performance

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Leading with Excellence and FUN! - Emily

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I never had the amazing privilege to meet Pete in person but I got to meet him through his vision. Every day coming to work at Fusion is an honor and it is an amazing place with culture at the heart of it. This starts at the top and as a leader for this organization for so long, he lives within the halls and classrooms of all Fusion campuses.

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Last month, he sent two copies of a math "novel" to me to review and potentially bring into our program. I think a few of his kids needed extra math support, so keeping math fun and accessible was always near his heart, and he never shied away from a potential addition to the program.  -KK

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One of the most fantastic traits that Pete embodied was his courage to be transparent and vulnerable. He was always the first to take ownership of how Fusion was moving forward and how he was shifting to address the needs of this company. He bravely stood in front of all of us, every year at EPIC! and shared how we were doing and what part he played in it. I deeply appreciated that modeling in leadership and it's something I try and mirror in my own leadership. - Emily

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Thinking back to the Western night at the EPIC in Arizona, where the table decor turned into a full on water gun fight across the ballroom, gaming tables, photo booths, he just stood back and said to me "it's so fun to just watch them all be playful."  How excellent.

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I am struck by how unafraid Pete was to *want*. When he dreamed, he dreamed big. He didn't negotiate or bargain with himself to shrink his dreams to something achievable. He deliberately went bigger than anyone thought possible, and then kept going. I cannot fully process the way this decision to not give in to fear or doubt or reasonableness led to the incredibly legacy he has left behind. - Connor

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How many in the working world can say that they have a personal connection to their CEO like we all have had? Pete built a bedrock around culture and relationships that has been unshakable. And it has had the power to shape us all as humans and educators, friends and colleagues. May that passion and care continue to carry us forward as we honor Pete's legacy and move forward with his vision--that every Fusion graduate is excited about their future. <3 - Monica

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Pete loved any opportunity to get us all together and have fun. Here he is after grilling us all hot dogs at HomeBase

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Pete led the charge on what it looked like to be an excellent leader. As a leader within Fusion now, I have always thought about Pete's leadership when thinking about how I want to lead and who I want to show up as for my people. It always showed up seamless and authentic as Pete led all of us, I continue to strive to reach that excellence in his honor.

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His vision because it's just that important. We will get there.

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The value of Courage, instilled by Pete, taught us the strength of respectful disagreement and the power of constructive debate. He cultivated an environment where diverse voices were heard and valued, encouraging us to show up authentically and hold each other accountable. With Pete's support, we grew as individuals and as an organization, recognizing that empowerment and growth stem from the courage to speak our minds.
-Gabby

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Pete's spirit of Innovation emboldened us to question conventions and embrace change fearlessly and frequently. He nurtured a culture where creativity thrived and learning from both successes and failures was embraced. Pete believed that only by continuously seeking new and better ways could we truly transform lives and revolutionize education for the better.
-Gabby

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My first EPIC! in 2015.  Pete always put people first--he was a connector and deeply cared about us as individuals.  I'll never forget you, Pete.  Lauren G

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Leadership takes courage, and the photo above captures that essence for me. Pete leads the "all in" before we "charge the hill", as Pete would say. Pete and Fusion inspired me to grow and learn more about education, leadership, and entrepreneurship. Through my learning journey, I've grown to appreciate Pete's leadership and recognize his incredible impact. It's difficult to lose a truly inspiring and impactful leader. Pete also had a way to connect and make you feel like a friend. Sending love and thoughts to Pete, his Fusion team, and his family. -Ryan

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The first time I met Pete was at the Futures holiday party. He could have entered the room as the FEG CEO and laid down the law. But he didn't, because that wasn't his way. He sat in the back with the ADs and HOSs and he chatted as "Pete from Fusion". He complimented every presentation, celebrated every award, and listened. He was proud of us before we even knew who he was. -Dani

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Passion coursed through Pete, as he tirelessly championed the mission to change education one student at a time. His infectious energy and unwavering optimism ignited the same fire within each member of the Fusion Education Group family. Pete led by example, showing us that serving our students and each other with joy and dedication could transform the educational landscape. He fostered a sense of unity, celebrating the diversity of our team and the richness it brought to our collective endeavor. -Gabby

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I was lucky enough to spend some time with Pete at my first EPIC! a few years back. I was struck by the way Pete always made time and connected with everyone who was there. He was personable and kind and made me feel welcome in the Fusion community. When I think of CEOs in general, I don't see them as being so hands on and caring so much about their employees. Pete was the complete opposite. He will be greatly missed!

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Though I never met him in person, Pete always struck me as the kind of leader I wanted to be like. Through his excellent leadership-moment emails and other communications, his passion always seemed genuine and his vision strong. I am so grateful for what he has built as it has allowed people like me to find their professional niche and do some real good in the world. Thank you Pete and God bless- Dylan (Ardmore, PA)

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Though I never met him in person, Pete always struck me as the kind of leader I wanted to be like. Through his excellent leadership-moment emails and other communications, his passion always seemed genuine and his vision strong. I am so grateful for what he has built as it has allowed people like me to find their professional niche and do some real good in the world. Thank you Pete and God bless- Dylan (Ardmore, PA)

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It takes Passion to commit to a costume as a grown man. And every EPIC, when we still had costume night, Pete beyond lived out that passion. I'll try to relax and be more willing to have fun- <3 - Connor

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One of the books I've kept on my bookshelf is the signed copy of Limitless that Pete sent out to the LMT cohort I was in. It's a source of value to me--both sentimental and practical (it's a damn good book on career planning). It's also a symbol of what good leaders do--minding the details! I know he had a team helping him and I doubt he personally walked the book to the post office. But the passion to see those little things through--making sure each member of the cohort got a copy of the book, making sure each copy was signed with a nice note inside--struck me. I don't know where we go from here; only that it's an emptier place than it was before yesterday. Thank you, Pete, for everything

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Pete's commitment to Excellence set a standard that inspired all of us. He believed in the power of data and the relentless pursuit of outstanding results. His determination to never settle for "good enough" challenged us to constantly raise the bar and exceed expectations and set B.H.A.G.’s (Big Hairy Audacious Goals). With Pete's guidance, we learned that true excellence is not an endpoint but an ongoing journey of growth and improvement.

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Pete's commitment to Excellence set a standard that inspired all of us. He believed in the power of data and the relentless pursuit of outstanding results. His determination to never settle for "good enough" challenged us to constantly raise the bar and exceed expectations and set B.H.A.G.’s (Big Hairy Audacious Goals). With Pete's guidance, we learned that true excellence is not an endpoint but an ongoing journey of growth and improvement.

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Gabby

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I can still hear Pete's words in my head regarding of Fusion being "guided by a fundamental belief in the immense potential within every person." He believed in Fusion and he believed in us. -Lauren W.

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Pete's Fusion reignited my passion as an educator. After a tumultuous tenure as a public school teacher, finding Fusion changed my life. Thank you for what you did for the students and for education. Thank you for trusting us with your vision. Your legacy will forever live on.

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Something I found to be particularly wonderful about Pete is that he went out of his way to connect with each of his employees. When he came to our campus, he sat down with our administrative team to listen to their celebrations and their stucks. My brand new DFI, not even one month into the role, had the opportunity to share her story with him: that she loves her job because she gets to be the person she needed as a child, that she feels at home here. He was inspired by her story and even remembered her when we spoke at EPIC! this year. That same DFI now refers to him as "my bestie Pete," which is a connection I really value for the sake of my DFI as well as my campus. We really felt a personal connection to him despite being quite removed from his day-to-day. I attribute that to his immense passion and love for our students, teachers, and families.

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I always felt the presence of Courage in my experiences with Pete.  He inspired me to have the Courage to take on the HOS role (and continued roles), by remembering that we are in the business of people and if they know you care - they will buy into your vision.  It's stuck with me everyday and helped inform my leadership style.  Also want to mention that while I was in some challenging meetings along the way - Pete always remained positive, solution oriented and smiling.
-Gavin

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The first time I met Pete he wanted to know my story and why I wanted to be a part of Fusion. He was so welcoming and I could tell right away that truly loved at his core what he did and the mission of what Fusion is. He had us and our students at the heart of everything and that passion was felt through and through. He will be missed and his legacy that he left to everyone that is passion touched will be forever.

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Many people can lead a company, but Pete could lead people.  Being around him felt warm, caring, and energizing.  The fist bumps, hugs, laughs, and genuine CARE he showed in each interaction was something so special and so hard to emulate. My hope is that we can all carry that with us going forward.  He will never be forgotten because we will all take pieces of him going forward.  As he often said, "We're in the business of changing lives," and he certainly changed all of ours. - Emily

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Pete's passion for individualized education, teacher development, community, and leadership can be felt in every Fusion classroom, homework cafe, staff lounge, and hallway. We will all miss him terribly, but can find comfort in being surrounded by his legacy each and every day we enter our vibrant school communities.

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EPIC! values are something that I find truly inspiring to live by both as an individual and within the school community. As I continue to grow with Fusion and within life, I find that courage is something that I am faced with daily. Whether it is taking on new tasks or achieving opportunities that have been presented to me, I am consistently reminded that courage is at the heart of it. Those values have been instilled within me from Pete. I thank Pete for what he has built and reflect on the copious amounts of courage that were required to achieve something so great- Fusion. While I had never met him, his vision and values have been felt throughout our community and will continue to be.
- Abigail (Warner Center)

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Pete was warm, gracious, kind, and gave hugs! When I do think of things he would say, I can just hear him delighting in saying BHAG and really shouting BIG HAIRY AUDACIOUS GOAL.
I always trusted his leadership and felt like he was completely connected to the mission of FEG and the success of the schools and it's employees. He had such a gentle way of delivering stories and information, and even if it was a similar story he has read many times, it never felt recited from a script or disingenuous. He was so open with the People Development team and welcomed new ideas and strategies for EPIC! He didn't mind when I buzzed around him for three days with a camera and offered to tweak his welcoming ppt slides after I spotted an error :-) He embodied each value of EPIC! and then some.
-Lauren DePriest

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To tell stories that showed his humanity

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To tell stories that showed his humanity

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I always looked forward to the moment during EPIC or other Fusion gatherings, when the famous "whistle" story would be told. This usually came after some prompting from those in the audience who already knew the story.  Forever, the "wheil-whip" sound will echo in my heart, and will highlight how Pete shared his personal side, in a very unique, funny and self-deprecating way.  This  always gave us a laugh and helped him relate to us in a way that showed how a person can find creative ways to get things done.  - Kelley

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No matter what session at EPIC! you would see Pete, mingling, smiling, talking to everyone.  It always felt like he was really listening and just loved hearing it all.  As Justin said, that Michigan Smile just really captured his pure joy for Fusion.

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I keep being brought back to the deep gratitude I have for Pete and his vision of what we can be. Gratitude because without that vision and the constant push to impact more lives, we have all be given the opportunity to change our own lives. I wouldn't be who I am today with out Fusion. I wouldn't have this beautiful community that I've helped build. I would have these people in my live that I LOVE. Pete always encouraged us to GROW and push our wildest dreams forward. Simply, because it's that important. -Emily Luna

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Pete's favorite time of year, so glad we could share this last EPIC! together 💜
-Craig

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I really appreciate the dedication he had for this company and what we stand for. I am happy that he continued to foster a place where we can support our students and connect with them in such a special and unique way. His memory will continue to live on with all the work we do. (Marie, WC)

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I really appreciate the dedication he had for this company and what we stand for. I am happy that he continued to foster a place where we can support our students and connect with them in such a special and unique way. His memory will continue to live on with all the work we do. (Marie, WC)