Since joining American Bible Society in 2014, Peterson has been leading the organization into its third century of ministry. Peterson's passion for the Bible and its transformative power stems from his own life-changing experience with the Scriptures as a young man. In 2017, he released his autobiography, Set Free, in which he shares how his experience as an inmate in a Mexican prison led him to a lifetime of service in Bible ministry. Peterson spent a decade as the president and CEO of The Seed Company, a Bible translation ministry based in Arlington, Texas. Prior to joining the Seed Company, Peterson held several leadership positions at Wycliffe. Early in his Wycliffe career, he served in Ecuador and Guatemala with Wycliffe's sister organization, SIL International, in field administration and government relations. He went on to become president and CEO of Wycliffe USA from 1997 to 2003. Before taking up full-time ministry work, Peterson held management positions with U.S. Shoe Corporation, Florsheim Corporation and American Greetings Corporation. Roy holds a master's degree in Social Science and Leadership Studies from Azusa Pacific University and a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Roger Williams University. He graduated from Stanford University's Executive Program for Non-Profit Leaders and holds honorary doctorates from Taylor University and Eastern University. Peterson and his wife, Rita, live in Philadelphia. They have four children and six grandchildren.