Josh Peterson is Vice President of Advanced Laser Services at CSU STRATA, where he leads the development and commercialization strategy for the ATLAS Laser Research Center. In this role, he works at the intersection of university research and industry partnership to position Colorado State University as a national leader in high-energy laser applications spanning fusion energy, advanced manufacturing, aerospace and defense, semiconductors, and scientific research.

Josh is also an Adjunct Faculty Instructor in the College of Business at Colorado State University. As a graduate of CSU’s MBA program (2001), he considers it a poetic privilege to teach in the same program that helped shape his career. He teaches courses focused on business foundations, product innovation, and applied strategy, bringing real-world leadership experience into the classroom. His teaching emphasizes practical application, cross-functional thinking, responsible use of emerging technologies such as AI, and the importance of empathy and leadership in business.

With more than 25 years of executive experience, Josh has led product strategy, innovation, and business growth across consumer electronics, B2B technology, and advanced research environments. Prior to joining CSU STRATA, he served as General Manager and Vice President of B2B & Productivity at ZAGG | mophie, where he built and scaled a national B2B accessories division, developed new vertical market strategies, and led cross-functional teams spanning product management, engineering, sales, and marketing.

Earlier in his career, Josh held senior leadership roles at Otter Products and HP. At Otter, he led product and innovation strategy, expanding the company beyond its core cases business into screen protection, power accessories, wearables, and strategic global partnerships. At HP, he spent 17 years in engineering, product development, and marketing management roles within the workstation business, contributing to years of sustained market leadership through multiple “world’s first” product innovations.

Josh began his career as a turbine controls engineer at Woodward Governor Company after earning his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Throughout his career, Josh has been known for his servant leadership approach that balances high expectations with deep care for team development. He is passionate about building organizations, developing people, and translating bold ideas into practical, scalable impact.

Josh holds a Master of Business Administration from Colorado State University and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder.