Candidate Questionnaire: Richard Grant for North Topsail Beach Mayor

Richard is a civil engineer and attorney. He has also owned a small business. He also spent over 30 years as a chief executive officer of both international and domestic companies.

Grant seeks North Topsail Beach mayoral post | Local News ...

Richard is currently a member of the North Topsail Beach Board of Aldermen. He was first elected in 2021.

Plans to implement a 5-year strategic plan with financial controls and priorities to effectively plan and avoid tax increases.

- Plans to implement a 5-year strategic plan with financial controls and priorities to effectively plan and avoid tax increases.

Economy

As of September 4, 2025, Richard Grant’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

Supports maintaining well-equipped police and fire departments for public safety.

- Supports maintaining well-equipped police and fire departments for public safety.

Public Safety

Supports finishing permitting and constructing "engineered" beaches in Phases 1, 2, and 3 to ensure they have the same protections as Phases 4 and 5.

Supports finishing permitting and constructing "engineered" beaches.

- Supports finishing permitting and constructing "engineered" beaches.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Education

Richard Grant

Plans to set priorities and understand town resources to effectively plan and avoid tax increases.

Plans to implement a five-year strategic plan with financial controls and priorities to effectively plan and avoid tax increases.

Richard is a civil engineer and attorney. He has owned a small business. He also spent over 30 years as a chief executive officer of both international and domestic companies and served on publicly traded and private company boards, as well as state, national, and international association boards. 

As of September 4, 2025, Richard Grant did not have a website or any information online.

Richard is a business executive and attorney. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board for Zephyr Energy PLC and Origin Creek Energy LLC. He previously held roles as President and Chief Executive of Suez Global LNG, President and CEO of Suez LNG North America, and President of Cabot LNG and Mountaineer Gas Company. He also worked as an Executive Vice President and General Counsel, and as a licensed attorney and engineer.

Plans to implement a 5-year strategic plan with financial controls to set priorities and avoid tax increases.

Plans to implement a five-year strategic plan with financial controls and priorities.

Supports implementing a 5-year strategic plan with financial controls to prioritize effectively and avoid tax increases.

Richard is currently a member of the North Topsail Beach Board of Aldermen. He is running for mayor in the 2025 election.

Supports using accommodation and parking taxes for beach nourishment.

Supports matching $10,000 fines for damaging dunes.

Supports increasing fines for damaging natural habitats to deter such actions.

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Mike Benson earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Earlham College and a master's degree and a Ph.D. in plant pathology from Colorado State University. 

Mike worked as a professor at North Carolina State University.

Mike Benson | North Topsail Beach North Carolina

Mike is currently an alderman for the town of North Topsail Beach. He was elected in 2017 and is serving his second term.

Believes in managing costs and increasing revenue to avoid tax hikes.

- Believes in managing costs and increasing revenue to avoid tax hikes.

As of September 4, 2025, Mike Benson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes properties affected by the Coastal Barrier Resources Act should be eligible for federal flood insurance.

- Believes properties affected by the Coastal Barrier Resources Act should be eligible for federal flood insurance.

Supports completing the DA143-based beach nourishment plan to add sand to the beach.

Believes in continuing to prioritize infrastructure improvements, such as renovating Town Hall and fire stations and upgrading local parks and beaches.

- Supports completing the DA143-based beach nourishment plan to add sand to the beach.
- Believes in continuing to prioritize infrastructure improvements, such as renovating Town Hall and fire stations and upgrading local parks and beaches.

Mike Benson

Mike Benson earned a bachelor 27s degree in biology from Earlham College, and a master 27s degree and a Ph.D. in plant pathology from Colorado State University. He lives in North Topsail Beach, North Carolina.

Mike is currently an alderman for the town of North Topsail Beach. He was elected in 2021 and is serving his first term.

As of September 4, 2025, Mike Benson did not have a website or any information online.

Mike Benson earned a bachelor 27s degree in biology from Earlham College and a master 27s degree and a Ph.D. in plant pathology from Colorado State University. He lives in North Topsail Beach, North Carolina.

Mike is a retired university professor. He taught undergraduate and graduate courses in plant pathology at North Carolina State University and developed a research program on diseases of ornamental crops and Christmas trees. 

Mike is currently an alderman for the town of North Topsail Beach. He was elected in 2021 and his term ends in 2025.

Supports the DA143-based beach nourishment plan.

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor attends and runs City Council meetings, serving as an important leader for how local laws get set. These laws affect local services, such as Police, City Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation.  
- The Mayor in some circumstances may vote to break a tie in council meetings. They do not have veto power.