CARTERET COUNTY, NC – Carteret County is excited to introduce Ryan Davenport as the new Shore Protection Office manager. Davenport was chosen from a pool of more than 20 qualified applicants from across the country to replace longtime Shore Protection Office manager Gregory “Rudi” Rudolph who resigned from the position in November.
“We are proud and excited to have someone of Ryan’s caliber join the County and help lead the Shore Protection Office through the current challenging issues and those that are on the horizon,” said Ed Wheatly, Carteret County Commissioners chairman. “He has an excellent background which is well suited to take on the responsibilities of this position.”
Ryan Davenport will lead the Shore Protection Office beginning January 18, 2022.
Davenport has more than 20 years of local, state, and federal coastal management experience. For the past 14 years, Davenport has been employed by the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality as Senior Environmental Specialist of the Division of Coastal Management. His experience also includes work as Environmental Planner for the Department of Land and Natural Resources for the state of Hawaii and Field Representative for the North Carolina Division of Coastal Management. His expertise includes leadership, resource regulation, project management, strategic planning, and community outreach.
“We are excited to welcome Ryan as our Shore Protection Manager and lead the charge in managing the 50- year beach Master Nourishment Plan,” Jim Normile, Carteret County Beach Commission chairperson said. “The recent increase of lodging occupancy tax dollars has nearly replenished funds expended post-hurricane Florence. This will afford Ryan a keen opportunity to begin 2022 in our scientific search for future offshore sand resources to position Bogue Banks beaches and infrastructure for a healthy, sustainable future.”
“Carteret County and the Beach Commission have a long history of successfully planning and managing complex beach nourishment and dredging projects,” Davenport said. “I am excited to join the team to help move the County Beach Commission forward in its goals and appreciate the opportunity to serve the citizens of Carteret County.”
Davenport is a 1999 graduate of North Carolina State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science.
He begins his new role on January 18, 2022.