Williams nominates retired environmental consultant Robert “Bud” Needham to Planning Board

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, N.C. – MAY 18, 2026 — Brunswick County Commissioner Frank Williams nominated retired environmental consultant Robert “Bud” Needham to the District 5 seat on the Brunswick County Planning Board at the May 18, 2026 commissioners meeting. Needham’s nomination was unanimously approved by the board of commissioners. Needham will replace Rich Leary, who is stepping away when his term ends on June 30, 2026.

“Bud Needham’s strong knowledge of Brunswick County’s history and the technical expertise developed through his past professional work will serve him well on the planning board, and I’m pleased that he is willing to serve,” said Williams. “I’m grateful to Rich Leary for his willingness to serve over the past five years.”

Robert “Bud” Needham grew up in New Hanover County and has lived in Brunswick County since 1989. He is a retired environmental consultant who started his career as an Enforcement Coordinator for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He later founded a wetland consulting firm. Needham earned both a B.S. in Biology with an emphasis in ecology and a M.S. in Marine Biology with an emphasis in wetlands from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. He has completed post-graduate courses in Wetland Soils and Hydrology, Multi-Parameter Wetland Delineation, Wetland Science II – Wetland Specialist, and Wetland Plant Systematics.