Derek Peterson is the Founder and CEO of Soter Technologies, a rapidly growing environmental sensor and technology innovator headquartered in Ronkonkoma, New York.
As a teen, Mr. Peterson was fascinated with computers and technology and has been developing software since high school. Today, he is a high energy and focused business leader and problem solver who leverages his knowledge and technological expertise to address complex social, business and community safety challenges.
Mr. Peterson and his team have also invented of the world’s first vape and bullying detection and alert system for schools, FlySense. With over 50,000 devices deployed in schools around the world, this technology is making schools healthier and safer. The company’s products and services are making an impact in communities and schools across the nation and have even been credited with saving the lives of students who were contemplating suicide.
Mr. Peterson’s inventions, products and software have received awards as well as national media attention. Soter’s SymptomSense has been featured on NBC’s Today Show, MSNBC, Inside Edition, Cheddar TV and many other regional and national media outlets. His FlySense vaping detection and anti-bullying sensor has also been featured in the national and local media, including ABC’s Good Morning America and NBC’s Today Show along with hundreds of other media outlets across the United States and abroad. Mr. Peterson is regularly interviewed by the media about technology, health and safety in the workplace and schools, entrepreneurship and technology.
In 2020 Mr. Peterson won the prestigious Roy L. Clayton Technology award and was considered one of the top 50 most influential African Americans in Technology.
Mr. Peterson has a proven track record in the high tech and software sector and has held senior and key roles at IPS, Symbol Technologies (a $1.6B NYSE company), and Neohapsis (bought by Cisco). In 2003, he co-founded CBD, Inc. to apply his experience to assist emerging technologies in libraries and public schools.