Luther alumnus Peter Espinosa to join Luther College’s Board of Regents

Luther alumnus Peter Espinosa will join Luther College’s Board of Regents the college’s president Paula Carlson announced Wednesday.

“We are pleased to welcome Peter Espinosa to the Board of Regents,” said President Carlson. “The knowledge and experience he brings from his professional life coupled with the love and pride he holds for Luther and Decorah as an alumnus ensure that he will contribute in meaningful ways to the board.”

The regents serve as trustees and stewards, ensuring that Luther fulfills its mission and that the needs of students, faculty, staff and other college constituents are being met.

“I am honored and humbled to join the Luther College Board of Regents. Like many others [on the board], I have a long and extensive connection to Luther. I am from a family of Luther graduates and I married a Luther graduate (Kari Tollefson, Luther class of 1984). I have benefited greatly from the Liberal Arts education and Lutheran approach to learning that I received at Luther,” said Espinosa.

After graduating from Luther in 1981 with degrees in speech communications and political science, Espinosa went on to work for IBM until 1999. He worked his way up in the company, serving as sales representative, sales manager, trading area general manager, vice president of sales and executive assistant to IBM’s chairman and CEO.

Following his time at IBM, Pete’s leadership positions over the next 17 years included senior vice president of Global Sales and Operations at Vignette, vice president of Worldwide Sales at Guidewire Software, and vice president and general manager of Global Sales at Computer Science Corporation.

Espinosa founded Pulpit Rock Brewing Company in Decorah, Iowa, in 2014, and remains its chairman. For his 35th class reunion in 2016, Pulpit Rock brewed a special beer (a Kolsch) called “1981” in honor of the class and then donated all proceeds of the sale to Luther. He also owns BottleTree Properties, which owns and operates a variety of commercial businesses.

“Now that I am active in the Decorah business community I have become energized by the time I am able to spend with Luther alumni, students, and faculty and staff.  I look forward to making a positive contribution to the future of this great institution,” said Espinosa.

He is a proud supporter of Luther athletics and contributes regularly to the Annual Giving program and the Scandinavian studies program. In 2016, he received the Distinguished Service Award from Luther.

Espinosa and his wife, Kari, are currently renovating a 19th century home in Decorah to become a bed and breakfast guesthouse.

A national liberal arts college with an enrollment of 2,050, Luther offers an academic curriculum that leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree in more than 60 majors and pre-professional programs. For more information about Luther visit the college’s website: http://www.luther.edu.