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

Ben joined the Manager’s Office in 2018 after eight years working in the City of Raleigh’s Budget Office, where he served as 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. Ben 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, Ben has a Masters in Public Administration from UNC-Chapel Hill and a bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary. In June 2024, he completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. Ben is an ICMA member and a licensed Certified Public Accountant.