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between our council and staff about the progress of our ve-expansion projects and the incredible success we had on those campuses last fall. One of our undergraduate brothers, Eddie from Long Beach, was working out in the Peabody Hotel gym after the Chapter Executives Conference in January. I was there already, and he said to me: “Your speech last night changed my life.” In 1992, Jerry Askew’s speech at the Phoenix Convention changed my life, so this was a special moment that I’ll always remember. Presenting the 2023 Loyalty Award to A. Frank Smith was incredible. In the middle of my speech, once the audience learned that the winner was Frank, all 600 men jumped to their feet and gave him the loudest ovation that banquet hall has ever heard. The greatest memory was my nine-year-old daughter running up to the stage to hug me after I was elected International President. My wife followed close behind her — she didn’t run. I couldn’t stop crying after that. I was going to be able to walk in the same path that only 53 other Pikes had walked, and I got to hug the two of them at the same time, and the emotions were overwhelming. S&D: Outside of family, Fraternity, and career, what brings you joy (besides Florida football)? Well, Florida football hasn’t brought me joy for a long time. I’m simple. I’m in love with my routine when I’m not traveling for work — walking our dog, working out, taking
about her day, etc. Seriously, my favorite thing to do is have movie night with them. To answer your question, I love snow skiing. Even though I’ve been traveling for work my whole career, I still love to travel — especially to new places. I like to read the classics — currently a quarter of the way through War and Peace . I like to play golf, though I haven’t been able to do much of it lately. I enjoy following all sports, but I especially like college football, professional baseball, and professional basketball. I love attending baseball games at minor and major league parks. S&D: What is the top item on your bucket list? The number one priority of my life is to help my daugh- ter live a ful lling life and make a positive impact on her community. Not really a bucket list item, but it’s the center of everything I do. S&D: How would you like to be remembered as international president? I hope I’m remembered as an international president who sparked us to grow while every other fraternity is trying to manage a decline in membership. Peterson served two terms as international vice president prior to his election as international president in 2022. He facilitated the Fraternity’s strategic plan in 2016, and served as an international educational and recruitment advisor, as Sunshine Regional President, Alpha Eta Alumni Association president, and chapter advisor to Eta Phi Chapter (Central Florida). He was also a member of the Fraternity’s staff. Peterson is the founder and president of Vector Firm, which specializes in sales and marketing consulting, and training services focused on the security technology industry. He resides in Orlando, Florida with his wife and daughter.
to do the right things. As I left college, Pikes like Ernie Cox and Kevin Virta served as role models for me — they just did the right thing, and it always seems effortless. Today, my role models are close friends who are fathers and professionals. I have a handful that serve as my personal board of advisors.
Above: The Peterson Family
“T e u be one ioty of ife is to he y date live a ffii g li ean a e a poitve imct on e comu t.”
I have had several role models over the years from the International
Pike network, I wanted to become half the speaker that Jerry Askew is. I wanted to hold court like John Michael Williams. I wanted to in uence others and show the charisma of Kevin Knaus. Shad Williams has an unreal ability to gather intelligence from others and use it rather than rely on only his experience — something I don’t do enough of. If I keep thinking, we’ll run out of room in this article, but there are many. S&D: Do you have a favorite memory from your term as international president? The ongoing text messages
our daughter to school, listening to my wife talk
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