Derek Gwaltney is the Founder and CEO of Atlas Experiences, an experiential marketing and incentive travel company headquartered in Roswell, Georgia. His career began in the United States Air Force, where he developed a foundation of discipline, trust, and servant leadership. After military service, he entered the lottery and gaming industry, creating memorable prize experiences for lottery winners. In 2019, he founded Atlas Experiences to formalize and scale that mission, adding proprietary game-show elements such as Lucky Pik that give winners a chance to compete for millions of dollars during experiential events.
Under his leadership, Atlas Experiences grew over 6,000% in three years, reaching $10.1 million in revenue in 2024, and earned a #33 ranking on the Inc. 5000 list (2025) as well as #3 on the VET100. Gwaltney is a frequent speaker at lottery and gaming conferences including La Fleur's Lottery Symposium and ICE Barcelona, and his company works with global partners to deliver promotional programs, game shows, and elevated winning experiences for lottery, casino, and iGaming players.
Career History
| Company | Role | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Atlas Experiences | Founder & CEO | – present |