Tom and Elizabeth Petway Bio

The building that houses the College of Education and Human Services (COEHS) was dedicated in November 2012 to honor devoted civic leaders Tom and Elizabeth “Betty” Petway for their outstanding contributions to education and literacy in Jacksonville and across the state of Florida.  

Tom Petway is a prominent area business leader serving on the board of US Assure Insurance Services, Inc., a national insurance marketing and administrative services company. He was a co-founder of and an original minority partner in the NFL’s 30th franchise, the Jacksonville Jaguars. Tom also has been co-chairman of the organizing group for Super Bowl XXXIX and co-chairman and CEO of the Jacksonville Super Bowl Host Committee. He has also been chairman of the board of directors for the Community Hospice Foundation, served as chairman of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission, the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and the Jacksonville Preservation Project, as well as serving on the boards of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority and the World Golf Village. Additionally, Tom has also exhibited his commitment to education through his service on the State University System’s Florida Board of Regents and the subsequent Florida Board of Governors, being the only individual to have served as chairman of both statewide boards. 

Betty Petway is the vice chair of the Petway Family Foundation and was the first woman to chair the capital campaign for Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, for which she won an EVE Award for philanthropic service in 1996. She is actively involved in numerous organizations, including the American Cancer Society, Children’s Home Society, Hope Haven and the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation. She is an honorary board member for the Jacksonville Zoo, honorary UNF alumna and a former UNF Foundation Board member.