Insight: Christine Peters

By Michelle St. Onge Photo by Jessica McCafferty

Hometown - Peru, NY

Family - Husband, Ben; teens Greyson and Mallory, two dogs and two cats

Education - Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Plattsburgh State (1997) and a Juris Doctor from Vermont Law School (2000)

Occupation - Clinton County Administrator

Community Involvement - Vice President Apple Valley Senior Housing Board in Peru; Evergreen Townhouse Community Board Member; UVM Health Network Board of Trustees, Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee; Clinton County Industrial Development Agency Board of Directors; and 4H activities with her daughter.

A conversation with Christine Peters leaves you feeling seen, heard and appreciated.

She conveys understanding and a desire to solve whatever might be in front of her in a calm and empathetic way.

Born and raised in Clinton County, Peters attended the same schools her children do today. Always fascinated by people and the study of them, she started out pursuing a degree in psychology. However, an internship at North Country Legal Services while completing her Bachelor’s degree changed her path and she pivoted to law school.

After several years as the Director of the Clinton County’s Department of Social Services, Peters recently became Clinton County Administrator, the first woman to hold the position.

Recently I joined Peters at Chapter One in downtown Plattsburgh for coffee and conversation. The following are excerpts from our discussion.

What important lessons have you learned in your career?

One important lesson I learned was the value of slowing down. It’s crucial to examine all sides of an issue and try to view things from different perspectives. When a decision will impact a number of people, getting their input is vital. At the very least, it helps reveal potential unintended consequences. Finally, try to stay in the “gray.” Things are rarely black and white, especially in our line of work.

What do you think is most important about workplace culture?

I think that people need to have psychological safety. People need to feel like they can come to you and be heard and they’re not going to be judged for their opinions or for not knowing what to do.

How do you work through difficult situations with others?

I don’t necessarily view conflict as being bad as long as it’s respectful. I always try to be clear in what I can and can’t do. I like to ask questions to find out what the other person is going through. I look at situations like that as learning opportunities, problems to solve.

Have you always been on the same career path?

Initially, I planned to become a psychologist. However, during a two-year Americorps internship at North Country Legal Services, working alongside attorneys like the staff attorney’s director, Pete Racette, and Steve Baker, my path changed. The experience of helping people in a legal capacity influenced my decision to attend law school instead of pursuing graduate school in psychology.

What advice would you give young people starting out in their careers?

Hard work is essential; there is no substitute for it. When entering a new work environment, avoid the mindset of believing you know more than everyone else. Instead, be open to learning from those with long-term experience. Everyone has valuable insights to share.

Who are your mentors and how do they influence you?

When I first started at the Department of Social Services, Jay LePage was one of my mentors; he helped me slow down and think of others’ perspectives. John Redden and I were also quite close. He was always very focused on customer service and treating people with respect. Moving into this position, Mike Zurlo was a constant mentor. He always advised me to “live in the gray” and not take things personally.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Always stay calm. As a leader, if you react to everything that comes at you, the people beneath you become unsettled. Focus on “What do I know right now and what is the worst thing that can happen?” Then you just tick through what is happening one step at a time.

What are you most proud of professionally?

Becoming County Administrator and being the first female in the role. The two county administrators prior to me — Bill Bingle and Mike Zurlo — both had very long tenures. It also makes me incredibly happy that my Dad got to see this accomplishment before his passing in December and knowing that he was so proud.

What inspires you?

I love a challenge. I love to work through an intricate problem and do the best thing for the situation, for this county, for the taxpayers.

What would people be surprised to know about you?

I think a lot of people believe that I’m an extrovert. I am a homebody and introvert at heart. I think people are surprised to know that I would rather just stay at home on my couch with my kids and my dogs.

If you could have dinner and spend the evening with someone well-known, living or dead, who would you choose?

Madame Clicquot Ponsardine — the Grand Madam of Champagne. In the 1800s, at the age of 27, she became a widow. Despite people’s doubts about her, she became highly respected in wine making. She came up with the process of riddling and turned the family company around.

How would you like to be remembered?

I would like to be remembered for my integrity, my work ethic and how I treated people. I would hope that people would say, “She might have been tough, but she did not treat me poorly in doing what she had to do.”

What do you think the North Country needs to do to ensure future prosperity?

We need to promote how beautiful and great this county is. We need to attract and keep young professionals. We need to think about making this a place that people want to come to for vacations or to raise their young families. Some of it is development and some of it is culture.