LT GEN Erik Peterson (Ret)
Erik Peterson
Retired from the U.S. Army in 2024 as a Lieutenant General after 38 years of leading complex organizations and elite military formations in demanding operations and missions. His final assignment was as the Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Plans and Programs (G8), responsible for the Army’s $900+ billion five-year resourcing strategy, material modernization, material requirements process, and campaign analysis. Prior to his service on the Army Staff, Erik served in numerous leadership and command positions, deploying extensively for combat and contingency operations worldwide. His leadership and command responsibilities included nearly 20 years with elite Special Operations Aviation units, the 10th Mountain Division, 2nd Infantry Division, and Division West of 1st United States Army.
Erik’s awards, decorations and honors include: four Distinguished Service Medals, four Legions of Merit, six Bronze Stars, five Air Medals and Valor Device, Combat Action Badge, Master Aviator Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Army Staff Badge, Australian Parachutist Badge, Swedish Parachutist Badge, and Republic of Korea Aviator Badge. He has been inducted into the University of Idaho Alumni Hall of Fame and the Army ROTC Hall of Fame. He was also awarded an Honorary PhD from the University of Idaho, an Honorary Master’s Degree from the Army War College, and was the U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield’s first recipient of the Award for Meritorious Military Service in Protection of Cultural Property.
Erik earned Bachelor’s Degrees in Geography and Cartography from the University of Idaho’s College of Mines and Earth Resources, and later earned Master’s Degrees in Business Administration (MBA), and National Security Strategy. He also earned executive leadership certificates in Mastering Negotiation from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, and Strategic Leadership from the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School.
Erik currently serves as a corporate board director and chair, advisor, and consultant. He also serves on the University of Idaho’s Advisory Board for Veterans and Military Affairs. He and his wife, Jen Santos, are partners in Beehive Partners LLC, providing strategic leadership and consulting services.
