Hillsborough Town Manager Eric Peterson has been named in a top 100 local government influencer list.

The organization behind the list, ELGL, originally named Emerging Local Government Leaders, was formed for public leaders to connect, communicate and educate about local government topics.

Peterson is 84th on the Chris Traeger List: Top 100 Local Government Influencers, named after a town manager character on the TV show Parks and Recreation.

The list states that “Eric has influenced many local government professionals by showing that you can be successful at work and in your personal life,” and goes on to recognize Peterson’s work in leading Hillsborough’s Slower Is Faster police driver safety program.

The program, which focuses on decision-making behind the wheel, was awarded the Destination Zero 2016 Officer Traffic Safety Award in May from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

“The Town of Hillsborough is immensely fortunate to have Eric Peterson at the helm,” said Hillsborough Mayor Tom Stevens.

“He’s received particular attention for his efforts in driver safety for law enforcement, but there are many, many ways that the town sets an example for effective local government — for example, multi-year financial planning, performance scorecards, infrastructure maintenance, outreach to citizens. These exist in large measure due to Eric’s leadership.”

Peterson has been Hillsborough town manager since 1997 as well as a management analyst for Kinston, town manager for Tabor City and Topsail Beach, and guest lecturer on budgeting at UNC’s School of Government since 1993.
Along with completing the UNC School of Government’s municipal administration course and Harvard’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government course at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Peterson also has a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master of public administration.

Peterson has 20 years of competitive motor sports experience, including two national championship wins and volunteers as a driving instructor.

Other individuals on the list with North Carolina ties include Charlotte Mayor Jennifer Roberts, Durham City Manager Tom Bonfield, UNC School of Government professor Leisha DeHart-Davis, Greensboro Parks Director Wade Walcutt and Ron Carlee, who recently left work with the City of Charlotte.

You can see the full list here.

Related Stories
‹
Groundbreaking Ceremony for Jamezetta Bedford Crisis Care Center Set for Oct. 22
Orange County will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the Jamezetta Bedford Crisis Care Center Thursday, Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. The new facility will be on Waterstone Drive in Hillsborough, next to the UNC Hospitals Hillsborough campus. “This center represents the kind of compassionate, community-focused care our residents deserve,” said Jean Hamilton, chair of the […]
Hillsborough Mayor Calls for Release of 19-Year-Old Orange High School Graduate Detained by ICE
Hillsborough mayor Mark Bell has issued a statement in support of 19-year-old Isaac Gallegos, an Orange High School graduate and Hillsborough resident who is currently in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Gallegos has been detained since Wednesday, Oct. 7. Read Bell’s full statement below: On behalf of the Town of Hillsborough, I […]
Hillsborough: The Churton Street Project, Flush Fest Revisited, Police Summit
Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, October 13, discussing town news and events. He recapped this week's town board of commissioners meeting, which included an update on the Churton Street Projects, which would considerably upgrade infrastructure south of downtown. He also revisited last weekend's Flush Fest, which is an annual event funding a global sanitation non profit. He discussed an upcoming police summit, and more.
Al's Burger Shack Prepares to Open New Location in Hillsborough
Al’s co-owner Charlie Farris, who also owns Jersey Mike’s two units down, spoke with 97.9 The Hill about the new location.
NCDOT Announces Overnight Closures on Interstate 40 at Old N.C. 86
Crews will work to repair the bridge from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. starting the night of Monday, Oct. 12 through Thursday, Oct. 15.
Local Government Meetings: October 12-16, 2026
This week in local government: property valuation in Orange County, Chatham Park in Pittsboro, and Churton Street's future in Hillsborough.
Date Night: Heading Up Yonder, For A Cause
Next Friday, October 16, Aaron's organizing a concert at Yonder in Hillsborough to raise money for the SKJAJA Fund!
Hillsborough: InterCity Visit Takeaways, More Chantal Repairs Complete, Community Survey
Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, October 6, discussing town news and events. He recapped the recent Chamber visit to Charlottesville for the InterCity Visit. He also updated a recent installation of a new boat launch at King's Highway Park, marking another upgrade after damage from last summer's Tropical Storm Chantal. He discussed a new entrepreneurial center in Hillsborough, and more.
Hillsborough: Hog Day Recap, Burwell School, Elizabeth Keckley, Town History
Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, September 22, discussing town news and events. He recapped this past weekend's Hog Day festivities. He also talked about the recent name change for the Burwell School, which led to a broader discussion of town history, and more.
On Air Today: Katharine Whalen and Eryk Pruitt on 24 Hours in Hillsborough
Katherine Whalen of Katherine Whalen's Jazz Squad and Eryk Pruitt of Yonder Southern Cocktails and Brew spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, September 17. They discussed Eryk's recent column 24 Hours In Hillsborough: Off the Beaten Path, which includes several recommendations for things to do in Hillsborough. Katherine discussed highlights of the Hillsborough music scene, including Thursday night jazz at Yonder. They discussed other upcoming events, including a terrarium workshop hosted by Andrew, and more.
›