Sacred Heart University has named Ambassador Peter Terpeluk, Jr., to its Board of Trustees, the institution’s top governing body.

Ambassador Terpeluk has recently returned to the American Continental Group (ACG) as chairman after serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg for three-and-a-half years. He originally joined ACG in 1994 and served as a managing director until he departed for Luxembourg. ACG is a professional advocacy firm that specializes in government relations and public affairs services.

During his tenure in Luxembourg, Ambassador Terpeluk oversaw the construction of a new, full-service embassy. He reinstated the role for U.S. Marines at the embassy and implemented the most modern security system for a U.S. embassy in Europe. He was influential in creating transatlantic growth for Luxembourg with initiatives that brought Amazon, AOL, and Apple Corporate Headquarters to Luxembourg. As a result, Luxembourg became the American center for technology in Europe. He also helped Boeing strategize and plan the launch of its new 747 cargo vehicle in Luxembourg.

Luxembourg held the European Union presidency during Ambassador Terpeluk’s term. Consequently, he worked closely with the current Prime Minister and then president of the European Council, Jean-Claude Juncker. Under Mr. Terpeluk’s ambassadorship, the Luxembourg presidency accomplished several important initiatives, including the reform of the Growth and Stability Pact, the relaunch of the Lisbon Strategy, more ambitious objectives for development aid, improvements in transatlantic relations, and a new framework for relations with Russia.

Furthermore, during the Luxembourg presidency, Ambassador Terpeluk was instrumental in bilateral summits, ministerial meetings, and visits by President George W. Bush, and worked closely with U.S. Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice, and High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union, Javier Solana.

Ambassador Terpeluk has been extremely active in both Bush Administrations. He began by serving as co-chairman of President George H.W. Bush’s "Bush for President Campaign,” and in 1992, as co-chairman of the "Bush for President Re-Election Campaign." He also held a leadership position with the National Finance Committee for “Bush for President” and he helped form and implement outreach to the U.S. Catholic community in the 2000 Bush campaign. He also served on President George H.W. Bush's transition team in 1998.

Ambassador Terpeluk was very active in the Reagan Administration as well.  In 1983, he served as acting deputy administrator in the U.S. Small Business Administration in Washington, DC, during which he led trade missions to the United Kingdom, Russia and China. Prior to serving as acting deputy administrator, he served as regional administrator in the U.S. Small Business Administration in Pennsylvania. Ambassador Terpeluk also served as design chairman in the development of the Ronald Reagan Building in 1991.

He currently serves on the National Constitution Center Board in Philadelphia. Additionally, he was Of Counsel at the Forum for International Policy chaired by Brent Scowcroft, co-chairman of the National Senatorial Committee, Finance co-chairman for the Republican Governors’ Association, and chairman of the "Child Protection Fund.” 

Ambassador Terpeluk has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Policy from LaSalle College, a master’s degree in Public Administration from Rider College, and honorary doctorates from Sacred Heart University and LaSalle College.

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