Why I Am Running for the Board of Directors

I have long believed in citizen diplomacy, and have actively practice it for many years here in Santa Fe. Whether meeting delegations from foreign countries through a variety of State Department programs or traveling to UNESCO Creative Cities programs around the world, the opportunity to learn about other peoples and cultures, and to share that of my City, has always been empowering and satisfying. Only by building personal relationships with people from other countries can we hope to find solutions to the multitude of problems the world faces. While involved in those activities, I have often been called on to lead and provide guidance on various issues. Additionally, I have served on a multitude of nonprofit boards, believe deeply on the positive impacts that NGOs can have on the world, and see the building of such relationships to be a part of who I am. I also believe that peer to peer City relationships can avoid much of the political drama occurring on the national level.

Bio

Born in 1954, Peter was educated at Harvard College (A.B. cum laude Philosophy, 1976) and Georgetown University Law Center (J.D. 1983). While in Washington, D.C., Peter worked for Senator Jeff Bingaman. Moving to Santa Fe in 1983, Peter worked for Campbell & Black, P.A., later forming a new firm with several other attorneys. In Santa Fe, Peter met and married Patricia Salazar Ives. They have three children, who all live in New Mexico. In 1987, Peter joined The Trust for Public Land as the organization’s attorney in its Southwest Regional Office, where he worked on hundreds of land conservation transactions, creating parks, open space, trails, national refuges, and protecting agricultural lands. In 2019, Peter became General Counsel to the NM Department of Cultural Affairs, working for the State museums, historic sites, Historic Preservation Division, State Library and New Mexico Arts, until his retirement in December 2022.

Peter served two terms as a City Councilor in Santa Fe (2012 to 2020). During his time on City Council, Peter was the primary representative of the City to the UNESCO Creative Cities program.

In retirement, Peter remains active in his community. Peter volunteers on several city commissions/boards and for several city programs, including the City’s Sister Cities Committee. He also serves on several Boards of Directors including Global Santa Fe (formerly the Santa Fe Council on International Relations), and the New Mexico Foundation. He is a member of several organizations, including Icomos-USA and World Heritage USA.

Skills and Assets

I have formed nonprofits and foundations and served on the boards of many such organizations, on governance committees, finance committees, development committees and more. I have been through challenging times with such organizations. I will bring all those skills and years of work building international relationships between cities. I have the time, the interest and the talents to be a productive member of Sister Cities International.