CEO Tucker Crawford – Steri International Uses Light-Based Technology to Fight Pathogens NEW ORLEANS — Steri International, Inc., a New Orleans–based company developing Safe UVC™ technology designed to continuously neutralize airborne and surface pathogens in occupied spaces, is moving toward large-scale commercial deployment with the appointment of a new chief executive officer. The company’s Safe
CEO Tucker Crawford - Steri International Uses Light-Based Technology to Fight Pathogens
NEW ORLEANS — Steri International, Inc., a New Orleans–based company developing Safe UVC™ technology designed to continuously neutralize airborne and surface pathogens in occupied spaces, is moving toward large-scale commercial deployment with the appointment of a new chief executive officer.
The company’s Safe UVC™ system uses a shortened 222-nanometer ultraviolet wavelength that does not penetrate skin or cause harm, allowing it to operate safely around people and animals—an advance that distinguishes it from traditional ultraviolet disinfection systems.
Tucker Crawford, the recently appointed CEO and president of Steri International, said the technology has the potential to reduce the spread of contagions in public spaces, including those that caused COVID and other pandemics. “We’re trying to make the world a safer place and we can start right here in New Orleans,” he said, adding, “It’s hard to quantify how many lives we could save.”
He said Steri represents a rare convergence of proven science, real-world applicability, and disciplined execution. “Safe UVC™ technology has the potential to materially improve how we think about indoor environments and public health. My focus is on ensuring this technology is deployed responsibly, validated rigorously, and scaled thoughtfully across sectors where safety and reliability are paramount.”
Todd Walker, chief executive officer and president of International Digital Holding, Inc., parent company of Steri International, said the company is building leadership capacity around Steri’s commercialization efforts. “One of the great sterilizers is light,” Walker said. “We are assembling a team of experts, including Tucker as CEO and Corey Hébert as chief medical officer, along with a strong advisory board, to support the responsible deployment of this technology.”
Scientific Validation and Medical Oversight
Corey Hébert, MD, the recently appointed chief medical officer of Steri International, said the technology addresses a growing public health challenge as herd immunity declines. “As a clinician, we are fighting every day to decrease the amount of hospital infections,” Hébert said. “As immunizations fall, communal areas like bathrooms, sporting facilities, concert venues — all of these things are going to have a lot more circulating antigens, viruses, bacteria. When we can decrease that just by having a lightbulb or a light source, then that is revolutionary.”
Citing research conducted by Columbia University and Oxford University, Hébert said studies show that “within 24 minutes in a crowded room at a party, the Safe UVC™ lightbulb kills up to 99. 98 percent of pathogens, bacteria and mold in the room.” He described that performance as “the equivalent of one hundred eighty-four full air room changes per hour.” By comparison, he said a typical hospital room has three air changes per hour and an operating room has about 25 , adding, “This could save a lot of lives in the future.”
Commercial Deployment and Growth Strategy
As the company expands its commercial footprint, Crawford said Steri International remains committed to its New Orleans base and to supporting local organizations as part of its broader growth strategy.
“We’re a New Orleans-based company. We believe in New Orleans and we believe in the trajectory in which the new administration is taking us,” said Crawford. “As part of our services, we are going to be certifying our environments. If we contract with a school, university or hotel, we will annually or even biannually inspect our systems to make sure they are compliant and doing what it’s supposed to do.”
While Steri has the option of selling lighting systems at the retail level, Crawford said the company expects much of its growth to come from commercial and governmental applications. “When we work with energy services companies or other facilities managers, we will install our system, maintain it and prove that it’s working,” he said.
Beyond hospitals, potential applications include sanitizing hotel rooms, classrooms, kitchens, concession stands, arenas, stadiums and swimming pools. Talks are currently underway with hospital groups and major sports teams.
Randy Philipson, vice president at Legends Global — which manages and operates more than 450 arenas, stadiums, convention centers and performance venues worldwide — said the technology could add a new layer of protection in large public facilities.
“Having spent nearly thirty years in multi-purpose facilities, from university settings to sports and entertainment, I see this as being a difference-making in terms of relying on human proficiency in sanitization,” Philipson said. “It’s an extra layer that we don’t have today.”
Steri International - Scaling for Global Demand
Looking ahead, Crawford said the company is positioning itself for rapid expansion. “We are prepared for hyper-growth if necessary,” he said. “In our business plan, we have several trajectories we can take. We will follow the market where the need is.”
Crawford said future outbreaks are inevitable. “It’s not if but when the next pandemic or outbreak happens, whether it’s a month from now or five years from now,” he said. “We want to be prepared for that.”
Steri plans to scale its Safe UVC™ technology across commercial and government facilities in the United States and abroad, with early expansion efforts focused on Europe and the Middle East.
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