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
‹
Hillsborough: Zwanze Day, Street Paving, Refurbished Art
Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, April 21, discussing town news and events. He discussed the upcoming Zwanze Day event at the Wooden Nickel this upcoming Saturday. He also outlined an upcoming street resurfacing project that will cause temporary closures for several streets around town. He also discussed some artwork being refurbished at River Park, and more.
A Pilgrimage Highlighting Peaceful Resistance to Kurdish Oppression Included a Stay in Hillsborough
Kurdish activist Kani Xulam is walking from Washington D.C. to Atlanta, and recently stayed in Hillsborough as part of his journey.
Hillsborough: Trespassing on Athletic Fields, Reorganization of Community Services Department, Upcoming Events
Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, April 14, discussing town news and events. He recapped the most recent meeting of the Hillsborough Board of Commissioners meeting, which saw a discussion of unhoused individuals damaging youth athletic fields in Hillsborough, and creative town solutions for preventing that. He also talked about a proposed reorganization of the town's Community Services Department, a recent trio of arrests for soliciting minors, and more.
Hillsborough Police Arrests 3 Men in Child Exploitation Investigations
The Hillsborough Police Department arrested three men during the weekend following separate investigations into the solicitation of minors. Police have taken 36-year-old Timothy William (Bill) Armstrong of Hurdle Mills, 52-year-old Howard Anttwein Cox (Johnson) of Durham and 28-year-old Tyron Paul Smith of Woodleaf (a town in Union County) into custody. Armstrong and Smith were both […]
Orange County Sheriff: Paula Floyd Murder Suspect in Local Custody After Extradition to N.C.
UPDATE: The Orange County Sheriff's Office shared an alert on the morning of Apr. 10 saying Matthew Vukmer was now in its office's custody.
On Air Today: Hillsborough Jazz Festival at Moorefields and A New Menu at Colonial Inn
Moorefields Executive Director Cecily Nisbet and Colonial Inn General Manager Kaity Farthing spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Thursday, April 9, discussing upcoming events in Hillsborough. Nisbet discussed the history of Moorefields, the upcoming Hillsborough Jazz Festival, and other events at Moorefield's. Farthing discussed her experience in Hillsborough so far, the revamped menu at Spencer's Tavern, and more.
Hillsborough Woman Wins Jackpot of More Than $200,000 from $1 Lottery Ticket
Sara Brewer of Hillsborough won a $215,051 jackpot off a $1 Cash 5 lottery ticket. Brewer bought the lucky ticket online for the lottery’s March 31 drawing. The odds of winning the jackpot were 1 in 962,598. Brewer claimed her prize Wednesday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After required federal and state tax withholdings, she […]
Hillsborough: America 250 Celebration, Police Academy, Upcoming Board Meeting
Hillsborough Mayor Mark Bell spoke with 97.9 The Hill's Andrew Stuckey on Tuesday, April 7 discussing town news and events. He talked about the upcoming July 4 celebration for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. He also discussed sign ups for an upcoming Police Academy from the town of Hillsborough. He also previewed the upcoming meeting of the Hillsborough Board of Commissioners, and more.
Noir at the Bar Returns to Hillsborough’s Yonder on April 9
On Wednesday, April 9 at 7:00 p.m., Yonder: Southern Cocktails and Brew (114 W King Street) will host its next installment of Noir at the Bar, a quarterly literary event that brings together crime writers for an evening of live readings, storytelling, and atmosphere.
Local Municipal Offices to Close for Observance of Good Friday
Local government offices and services around the community will be closed to observe Good Friday on April 3. Here’s a rundown of what residents can expect: Town of Chapel Hill The Town of Chapel Hill’s government offices will be closed Friday, and some facilities will also be closed Easter Sunday, April 5. Residential trash collection […]
›