The Benson Board of Commissioners has chosen an interim Town Manager. Frederick D. Nelson, Jr. will take over as Town Manager beginning May 23. He will temporarily take the place of current Town Manager Matt Zapp, who announced in March that he will be leaving Benson for a Town Manager position in Emerald Isle.
A native of New York, Mr. Nelson moved to Benson in 1989 and married Hazel Peacock. He served as a Town of Benson commissioner from 1997 till 2017 — a large portion of those years, from 2007, he acted as Benson’s Mayor Pro-Tem.
As a commissioner for two decades, Mr. Nelson has been a part of Benson’s growth and economic development — making decisions that have paved the way for more business in town, the construction of the new Hampton Inn, the betterment of Benson’s infrastructure, and other projects.
“With my experience in the processes and procedures of our beloved Town of Benson gained through my service on the Town Board and my leadership skills, I believe that I can step in to move forward the projects and priorities of Benson,” said Mr. Nelson in a written statement to the Board.
Mr. Nelson was selected for the role during a Commissioners meeting on Tuesday. Mayor Jerry Medlin summed up the Board’s thought process in choosing Mr. Nelson as the interim town manager.
“Fred has been a part of Benson’s growth for a long time,” said Mayor Medlin. “We think he is the perfect person to keep our town moving in the right direction while we search for a permanent town manager.”
“In addition to Fred’s excellent rapport with Town of Benson staff — something he has built during his 20 years on the Board, we are confident that he will continue Benson’s forward momentum as one of the best small towns in North Carolina,” he added.
