Our Foundation is where it is today because of individuals like Dick Austin, whose steadfast dedication aimed to offer every student the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential.

Dick served on Pinellas Education Foundation’s Board of Directors from 1991 to 2022. He served as Chair and in many other leadership roles during his term.

He championed career and technical education and believed that students should identify a successful post-secondary path that led to a career. He was a passionate education advocate and put his words into action when he traveled to Tallahassee to speak with legislators about the importance of funding career and technical education programs to ensure every student was prepared for life after high school.

He believed in the power of community and would regularly encourage others to join forces to support and advance our mission. Once – he even charted a bus to bring friends and colleagues to one of our events to showcase our work!

We celebrate Dick, his friendship and his advocacy. If you want to learn more about his professional accomplishments and life, click here to read his obituary.