Going to Emerald Isle
Benson’s town manager has announced he will leave the town to take a job as the manager of Emerald Isle.
According to a press release from the Town of Emerald Isle, the Emerald Isle Board of Commissioners announced it has hired current Benson Town Manager Matt Zapp as its new town manager.
Mr. Zapp will assume his new responsibilities by mid-June, subject to formal appointment and approval of terms of employment in an open board meeting.
Mr. Zapp joined the staff in Benson after moving to the local area from Ohio. He previously served as the manager of Madison Village, Ohio. He also served as parks and recreation director in the town.
He said he is excited about his new opportunity.
“I am truly humbled to be selected as the next town manager for Emerald Isle,” Mr. Zapp said. “It is my desire to serve the residents, staff and elected officials with excellence. A kindness can be felt throughout the community and I look forward to contributing to the culture of ‘Nice Matters.’ My entire family is thrilled about the journey ahead and we cannot wait to call Emerald Isle home,” he said in the press release.
Benson Mayor Jerry Medlin said Benson was lucky to have Mr. Zapp as long as it did. Mr. Zapp was hired in 2010.
“I think across the state managers stay in one place an average of three years so we were lucky to have Matt as long as we did,” Mayor Medlin said. “He did a great job and he is going to be hard to replace. He got a much better opportunity for his family and we wish him the best.”
Mayor Medlin said Mr. Zapp’s resignation is effective 60 days from March 12.
Mayor Medlin said he and other members of the board have had preliminary discussions about the next step for the town.
“We will get together and decide what we will do in the interim and what we are going to do in the long term,” Mayor Medlin said.
Mr. Zapp was chosen from among 89 applicants for the position in Emerald Isle. His new employers said he stuck out from other applicants.
“On behalf of our town board of commissioners, I congratulate Mr. Zapp on his selection after a rigorous search process,” Emerald Isle Mayor Eddie Barber said in a press release. “We considered many well qualified candidates and deliberated carefully, and we thank everyone who applied.”
He noted Mr. Zapp’s experience. “Matt Zapp is an experienced and resourceful local government manager, with a strong educational background,” Mr. Barber said. “We are particularly impressed with his active involvement in his current community and success in securing and administering grant funds for community projects and services, and his experience with technological innovation, emergency management, economic development and tourism marketing.”
-Dunn Daily Record
