News

Community Foundation of Henderson County President and CEO McCray Benson announces retirement

McCray Benson

By Lightning Reports, Published: November 20, 2025

Community Foundation of Henderson County President and CEO McCray Benson intends to retire after more than 20 years of serving the foundation and the community.

Benson announced his retirement to the foundation’s board of directors on Wednesday, according to a press release from the foundation.
“It has been my greatest privilege to serve our community and Community Foundation of Henderson County, along with having remarkable support of caring donors, board members and staff over these more than 20 years,” Benson said. “This truly is the community’s foundation. The fingerprints of the people in this community are forever embossed on my heart and soul.”
Benson received his master of social work degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and serves on its board of advisors. He came to Henderson County from the Charlotte area where he worked with the Foundation For The Carolinas as senior vice president over community affiliates stretching from Blowing Rock to Myrtle Beach.
In the 20 years that Benson served the community foundation in Henderson County, the organization has nearly tripled in core assets, and the amount distributed annually into the community has also tripled.
The foundation will move into a prominent Main Street location by the end of the year due to receiving a significant gift allowing for the purchase of 301 S. Main St. for a new home for its operations.
During his tenure, Benson assembled a strong professional staff and maintained a highly effective board of directors. The community foundation under Benson’s leadership also helped create new nonprofit organizations, merged key organizations and has been an integral part of strengthening the community, the foundation said.
Ruth Birge, the foundation’s board chair, praised Benson’s leadership. “While the board and staff are sad to see McCray retire, we wish him the very best in his next chapter,” she said. “His service to the foundation and the community has been exemplary. He helped mentor new community foundations as they form and has assisted with many fiscal sponsorships leading to the next generation community development.”
A transition committee made up of the foundation’s executive committee members and community representatives will be working to the find the foundation’s next president in the coming months, Stan Duncan, the foundation’s past board chair, said.
Benson will remain in his position until the next president is found.