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.

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