Eisner believes in county's future

Interim Martin County Manager and County Attorney Ben Eisner wears two of the most important hats in the county.

It’s been almost a year since Eisner had a front row seat observing the comments, moves and motions of the Martin County Commissioners and the citizens they serve as County Attorney.

The closing of Martin County General Hospital last August sparked citizen outcry ramping up the heat in the monthly commissioners meetings. During the time, Eisner was frequently called upon to clarify points of discussion.

The eventual resignation of then Martin County Manager James Bennett last September left a vital position vacant, adding complexity to the county’s governing body during a tumultuous time.

Eisner gave up his front row seat in November when he was elevated to the commissioners platform by a unanimous vote of the board and seated as the Interim County Manager.

Since then Eisner has adapted to the position well and by all accounts has enjoyed the challenges the past nine months presented.

Eisner became the county’s attorney in 2022, but had his first taste of local government in 2003 in his hometown of Nags Head.

“I grew up in Nags Head and graduated from Manteo High School in 2001. I attended Villanova University during the 2001-2002 school year and was a member of its golf team, before transferring back home to North Carolina and UNC Chapel Hill where I graduated in 2005,” Eisner said. “During the summers of 2003 and 2004, I was introduced to local government when I served as an Administrative Intern for the town of Nags Head, working on various projects assigned by the town manager and town staff.”

Those experiences helped steer Eisner into public service. He graduated from the Master of Public Administration program at the UNC School of Government in 2007. Much of Eisner’s knowledge comes from his service as a research assistant for the UNC System General Administration and later during law school summers at Campbell University serving as a law clerk to the General Counsel for the North Carolina State Auditor. Eisner also has experience working with the state Bankruptcy Administrator.

Following law school, Eisner joined Oliver and Creek, PLLC and has been with the firm for 13 years, representing clients in both state and federal court.

Eisner claims his daily responsibilities as an interim county manager are similar to being a lawyer in private practice, where a day’s plan can change when unforeseen items occur.

“I believe that you have to have a clear sense of how to constantly prioritize and reorganize tasks and issues to make sure that progress is moving forward. Support from staff is essential,” explained Eisner. “The county is fortunate to have a dedicated staff which have been a great resource for me and which I am in regular contact with to understand and discuss the daily operations of the county.

“I have confidence in their ability to both focus on the tasks at hand and be forward thinking for their departments,” he continued. “The entire staff works well as a team and I am fortunate to be able to rely on them heavily.”

Eisner doesn’t regret stepping into the position, although at times he needs to navigate choppy waters, paying attention as Interim County Manager while still tending to his responsibility as county attorney.

“I have really enjoyed being part of the process of governance in Martin County. One thing that I’ve tried to do during this time is to bring the same preparation that I employ to my law practice to my work as Interim County Manager,” he said. “Preparing for cases and court hearings requires a lot of analysis, review and consideration of other viewpoints, but it also requires trying to determine what other offshoot items might come up.

“Applying those same principles to preparation for board meetings has allowed me to focus on those items that the Manager’s office is tasked,” added Eisner.

The interim manager is a believer in the possibilities for the county.

“I believe Martin County, as with most of eastern North Carolina, is in a period of opportunity. There is a deep love and appreciation of the region from those who have grown up in eastern North Carolina and from those who now call it home,” Eisner said. “As we’ve seen with infrastructure and broadband, there are significant investments coming into the area that have the potential to shape the future. It will be up to the citizens, elected officials and staff, to work together to capitalize on that opportunity.

“I owe a deep thank you to the board, county staff and citizens who have entrusted me and have made this experience very rewarding and enjoyable,” he closed. “I am very fortunate to have the support of my wife and family and very grateful of their willingness to yield some of our family time, so that I can serve in his dual role. With that gratitude, I have tried my best to maintain a balance, which has meant earlier mornings and later evenings…and lots of coffee.”