For the past 17 years, Peter Decker has been the president of Decker & Associates, an agricultural consulting firm specializing in management, land acquisition, leases, international trade, and relations with state and federal agencies. He has a diverse background in American culture, history and policy. In addition to a well-rounded educational background, Peter has taught at Duke University and Columbia University, worked as an Associated Press correspondent in Vietnam and Laos, served as a policy analyst for Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and as a Captain in the U.S. Army.
Education
Ph.D. in U.S. History, Columbia University
M.A. in U.S. History, Syracuse University
B.A. in Political Science, Middlebury College
N.I.H. Fellowship in Social History, Columbia University
National Endowment for the Humanities Fellow, Yale University
Rockefeller Foundation Humanities Fellow
Doctor of Humane Letters (Hon.), Fort Lewis College
Professional Affiliations
National Western Stock Show, Director, 1989-present
Center of the American West, Director, 1990-2002
Telluride Bankcorp, President, 1989-1997
Federal Reserve Board of Kansas City, Director, 1991-1997
Colorado Agricultural Land Trust, Director, 1996-2001
World Trade Center (Denver), Director, 1994-1998
Colorado Commission on Higher Education, 1985-1993, Vice Chair, 1991-1993
Colorado Endowment for the Humanities, Member, 1980-1985, Chair, 1983-85
Fort Lewis College, Trustee, 2003-present; Chair, 2003-2004
National Trust for Historic Preservation, Active Member
Colorado Livestock Association, Active Member
Organization of American Historians, Active Member
American Historical Association, Active Member
Rocky Mountain Farmer’s Union, Active Member
Peter’s personal interests include reading, writing, (currently writing a novel after having written four history books), conservation issues, golf and skiing. Peter shares his time between his cattle ranch in Ridgway, CO and his consulting company in Denver. He and his wife, Deedee, have three children and five grandchildren.
