John Pederson is an entrepreneur, inventor and graduate of Apollo High School, class of 1977.
“Most people in the world see my inventions every day,” says Pederson.
Those everyday inventions are in the form of police lights, security lights and architectural lighting.
Pederson is the current CEO and Chairman of the Board for LVX Systems, which produces a smart, innovative light-emitting diode (LED) technology. His company is currently collaborating with NASA using his light technology, which could be used for future space travel. LVX has the patent on visible light communications, in essence, secure and energy-efficient internet and communications through light.
Pederson’s vision is taking light to the next level.
“Lights will do so many things, [in the future] you won’t be able to remember that at one time light was just light,” he says.
“I’ve always been self-driven,” states Pederson. “My advice: follow what you like doing. You’ll always do better. I loved school. I love to learn.”
Looking back at his years in St. Cloud schools, he can name every teacher he’s ever had in District 742, starting from kindergarten. He feels they were all great teachers. He has no bad memories and is quick to point out that fact is one of the highest compliments he can give.
However, one pivotal memory in high school does stand out.
“I was walking out of the library [of Apollo] and I heard some guys laughing,” explains Pederson. “It sounded like men laughing to me, not boys. That’s when it hit me. We weren’t boys anymore.”
Pederson loves staying connected to Apollo and St. Cloud. His kids are Apollo graduates as well. Two years ago, Pederson used his NASA connections to bring several astronauts to Apollo. An open public forum was held for students and community members to hear about the astronauts’ experiences, to sign autographs and to answer questions. Pederson was also able to demonstrate his LED technology by giving tours of the Superintendent’s office where the technology is installed.
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