Gary Peterson is a seasoned technology entrepreneur and global business leader with over 37 years of experience driving high-impact growth and operational excellence across fast-paced, high-growth organizations. His broad-based expertise spans a diverse range of executive leadership roles including Chief Strategy Officer (CSO), corporate development, mergers and acquisitions, country management, sales and marketing, operations, software development, finance (CFO), and board governance. Gary’s multifaceted leadership has consistently delivered transformative results, enabling companies to scale efficiently, expand globally, and innovate within highly competitive markets.
In 2004, Gary co-founded Iteration2, a Microsoft-based technology company that quickly grew into an award-winning, hyper-growth organization. Under his strategic leadership, Iteration2 scaled rapidly, ultimately becoming one of the largest Microsoft systems integrators worldwide, with over 3,500 employees and exceeding $450 million in annual revenue. This tremendous success culminated in the acquisition of Iteration2 by Hitachi Ltd in June 2007. For two decades, Gary played an instrumental role in transforming Iteration2 into Hitachi Solutions’ global Microsoft powerhouse, serving as Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Vice President before departing in October 2024.
Gary’s executive career is characterized by his ability to drive business process improvements, spearhead IT strategy and cloud computing initiatives, and lead complex business transformations. He is highly skilled in integrating teams, technologies, and cultures to accelerate growth and create sustainable value. His leadership extends internationally, with hands-on experience managing operations and business development across Latin America, Canada, the United Kingdom, Southeast Asia, and India. Gary also possesses working proficiency in Spanish, which complements his global engagement.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in Finance and Marketing from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, as well as an MBA focused on Finance and Strategy from the University of Portland. His educational foundation, combined with his extensive practical experience, has equipped him with the financial acumen and strategic insight needed to guide organizations through complex market landscapes.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Gary is family-oriented and enjoys golf, travel, and reading. Originally from Oregon’s wine country, he currently resides in Orange County, California, with his wife, living near their three adult children. Gary’s personal mission, simply stated as “Onward,” embodies his forward-thinking approach and commitment to continuous growth and innovation.
Today, Gary is actively seeking board opportunities where he can leverage his comprehensive experience to support companies in the Technology, SaaS, and Private Equity sectors. He is particularly interested in companies generating between $10 million and $1 billion in annual recurring revenue, where he can contribute to driving organic growth, strategic planning, and transformational leadership in the new AI-driven business era.
Character: Gary is a dedicated and forward-thinking leader who values growth, integrity, and family.
Knowledge: He possesses deep expertise across technology, finance, strategy, and global business operations accumulated over 37 years.
Strategic: Gary excels at driving business transformation, scaling high-growth companies, and integrating complex operations to maximize value.
Communication: He is an effective communicator and presenter, with experience speaking at industry events like Microsoft conferences and engaging diverse international stakeholders.
