Bill Peterson

Founder & CEO, Flying Ship Company

Bill Peterson is the founder and CEO of Flying Ship Company, where he leads the development of autonomous wing-in-ground effect vessels designed to revolutionize regional maritime logistics. With over 20 years of experience in aerospace, defense, and maritime innovation, Bill has played a key role in designing, building, and scaling next-generation transportation platforms.

A seasoned aerospace executive, Bill has worked with the largest aerospace companies to design aircraft and select systems strategies for advanced commercial and defense systems. His work has resulted in over $700 million in captured contracts and $200 million in commercial commitments for dual-use Flying Ship platforms.

Bill holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and an MBA from George Mason University. He began flying at age 14 and has since built a career at the intersection of innovation and defense strategy. He regularly collaborates with DOD stakeholders, commercial logistics leaders, and international partners to deploy scalable, autonomous solutions for contested and infrastructure-limited environments.