Chief of Staff Ben Canada leads the Board of Commissioners' agenda development process, helping the County Manager’s Leadership Team and the Board plan and conduct informed, transparent decision-making processes. He leads work on several Board goals in the Great Government key focus area and oversees Board operations and several administrative functions. He also oversees intergovernmental affairs and the County’s federal and state legislative advocacy.

Canada joined the Manager’s Office in 2018 after eight years working in the City of Raleigh’s Budget Office, where he served an analyst, manager and the acting director. Prior to that, he worked several years in Wake County’s budget office, leading the operating budget process. Canada began his public service career as a policy analyst in Washington, D.C., with Congressional Research Service, focusing on homeland security issues.

Originally from Roanoke, Virginia, Canada has a Masters in Public Administration from UNC-Chapel Hill and a Bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary. He is a member of ICMA and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant.