Contributed by The Town of Benson
BENSON — The Benson Board of Commissioners has approved the contract for its next Town Manager.
Following a months-long search aided by an independent firm specializing in government recruiting, the Board narrowed a long list of applicants to two finalists before ultimately selecting Dane D. Rideout to fill the role.
“We felt that Mr. Rideout was a great fit for Benson, not only because of his military background, but for his extensive experience in dealing with people, local businesses and corporations,” said Benson Mayor Max Raynor. “He knows how things work and we’re confident he will manage Benson’s growth with the utmost professionalism.”
Rideout joins the Town of Benson with a record of executive leadership, strategic planning and organizational transformation. His experience is shaped by more than three decades of military service and over a decade in municipal management. He previously served as City Manager of Bluefield, West Virginia and most recently as Town Manager of Elizabethtown, NC.
Before entering local government, Rideout completed a distinguished military career, retiring as an Army Colonel in 2014. His aviation and human resources background included senior leadership assignments across the globe, including multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. He later served as the Principal Human Resources Officer at Fort Bragg, directing all military, civilian and family personnel programs for the 82nd Airborne Division and U.S. Army Special Operations Command from 2007 to 2012.
In 2012, he assumed command of the U.S. Army Garrison at West Point — home of the U.S. Military Academy — where he oversaw installation management operations. His portfolio included facilities, new construction, public works, emergency services and community programs.
After retiring from the military, Rideout transitioned into public administration.
“Benson has a remarkable combination of character, culture and capacity,” Rideout said. “This community has the small-town charm people cherish, yet it stands at the threshold of extraordinary opportunity. With the recent announcement of the $1 billion Vulcan-Elements rare earth magnet manufacturing facility, Benson is entering a new era of economic possibility. My goal is to work collaboratively with our staff, elected officials and partners to ensure we harness that potential in a way that strengthens the community we all love.”
