The coastal municipality selects a seasoned administrator with four decades of leadership experience to direct daily operations and advance community goals.
Sunset Beach, NC — Marking a new chapter in municipal governance, the Town of Sunset Beach has officially welcomed Dane Rideout as its new Town Administrator. Chosen after an exhaustive nationwide search conducted by the Town Council, Rideout assumed his official duties on August 11, stepping into a role focused on guiding day-to-day operations, executing council directives, and optimizing public services for residents and visitors alike.
Rideout brings a robust, four-decade portfolio of leadership experience spanning both the armed forces and local government administration. Before taking the helm in Sunset Beach, he served as Town Manager for Benson, North Carolina, and Elizabethtown, North Carolina, as well as City Manager for Bluefield, West Virginia. His extensive administrative background also includes serving as City Manager and Garrison Commander at West Point, where he directed municipal infrastructure for the prestigious military academy.
An ICMA Credentialed Manager, Rideout’s administrative framework is heavily informed by his distinguished tenure as a U.S. Army Colonel. His military career featured high-level executive and human resources assignments with the 82nd Airborne Division, Special Operations Command Europe, and the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, cementing a professional reputation rooted in rigorous fiscal accountability, operational efficiency, and team collaboration. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Ball State University alongside a Master of Arts and a Master of Public Administration from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Town leadership expressed immense enthusiasm for the hiring, highlighting that Rideout’s exceptional administrative credentials and deep commitment to community preservation make him an ideal fit for the coastal destination. Elected officials noted that his strategic mindset will be instrumental as the town balances future investments with the preservation of its distinct local charm.
The transition of power has moved forward smoothly, supported by Police Chief Ken Klamar, who acted as Interim Town Administrator during the recruitment period. Chief Klamar received widespread praise from municipal leaders for providing steady continuity and ensuring uninterrupted public services. Both officials are working in tandem to finalize the leadership handoff, positioning Sunset Beach for sustained progress and effective governance in the years ahead.
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