On Tuesday, May 17 His Majesty King Abdullah II bestowed the King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein Order for Distinction from the first degree on King’s Academy’s longest-serving trustee, Peter Weinberg, in appreciation and recognition of his service and support to King’s Academy and to Jordan.

Weinberg, who is the chief executive officer and co-founding partner at Perella Weinberg Partners, a publicly traded financial services firm, is stepping down from the Board of Trustees after having served there for 18 years. A graduate of Deerfield Academy, the alma mater of HM King Abdullah II, and a trustee of that school, Weinberg was asked by King Abdullah back in 2003 to join the founding board of King’s Academy. Since that day, he has been one of the school’s staunchest supporters.

“I was really taken by HM King Abdullah II’s vision on the creation of King’s Academy and mixing what was great about Deerfield with what was so needed and so important in the region,” Weinberg said. “It soon became very clear to me that this was going to be a very exciting project and I was honored to be asked to be a founding trustee. I’ve been very excited about the progress of the school since its inception.”

Weinberg’s excitement about King’s and his steadfast commitment to the school have been in evidence from day one. In 2005, he made his first pledge to the school, creating The Weinberg Distinguished Chair in Peace and Prosperity. Over the years, Weinberg’s gifts to the school have been many. In addition to monetary gifts, he has given of his time and his expertise. Now as he leaves, he is making yet another very generous gift, endowing a student scholarship fund. Proceeds from the Weinberg Family Endowed Scholarship Fund will support the tuition fees of a student who demonstrates financial need and is in very good academic standing.

“I can’t begin to thank Peter enough for his support both on a personal level and as one of the school’s most generous and committed donors,” said Chairman of the Board of Trustees Ali Kolaghassi.

Although Weinberg is stepping down from the Board, he has been asked to become an honorary trustee. “This will allow King’s Academy to continue to benefit from Peter’s sage wisdom and support for years to come,” Kolaghassi said.