Meet Mayor Ben Clapsaddle
Ben Clapsaddle was sworn in as Mayor of the Town of Wake Forest on December 16, 2025, following dedicated service as a Wake Forest Town Commissioner from December 2023 to December 2025.
After nearly 30 years of distinguished military service, Ben retired from the United States Army in September 2008 at the rank of Colonel. His final assignment was as the Senior Army Advisor to the North Carolina Army National Guard. Throughout his career, he held numerous leadership and command positions and was recognized for his service with multiple military decorations, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and the Combat Action Badge. He is a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW Post 8466).
Ben is a graduate of The Citadel, where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Administration from Central Michigan University and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
Following his military retirement, Ben continued his public service and leadership career as a Project Manager with Booz Allen Hamilton. He later served as a Division Chief at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he was responsible for overseeing the integration and training of modern technologies and equipment.
Ben and his wife, Nancy of Oak City, North Carolina, have called Wake Forest home for more than 20 years. They have two children, Nathan and Ranie, both graduates of Wake Forest High School and William Peace University.
About the Mayor
The Mayor of Wake Forest is elected by and from the qualified voters of the Town of Wake Forest voting at large in the manner provided in Article IV of the Town Charter.
The mayor is the official head of the town government and presides at all meetings of the board of commissioners. When there is an equal division on a question, the mayor shall resolve the deadlock by his/her vote but he/she shall vote in no other case. The mayor shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as are of may be conferred upon him/her by the general laws of North Carolina, by the Town Charter, and by the ordinances of the Town of Wake Forest.
The mayor shall serve a four-year term beginning the day and hour of the organizational meeting following the election as established by ordinances in accordance with the Town of Wake Forest Charter, provided until a successor is elected and qualified.
No person shall be eligible to be a candidate or be elected as mayor or to serve in such capacity, unless he/she is a resident and a qualified voter of the Town of Wake Forest, is 21 years of age or older. In the event a vacancy occurs in the office of mayor, the board of commissioners shall by majority vote appoint some qualified person to fill the same for the remainder of the unexpired term.
About the Mayor Pro-Tem
The Board of Commissioners shall choose one of its members to act as mayor pro-tem and perform the duties of the mayor in the mayor's absence or disability. The mayor pro-tem as such shall have no fixed term of office but shall serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the remaining members of the board of commissioners.