Mike Beason: Beaufort Parking Enforcement Officer & Maintenance Officer

“The military was something I always thought about when I was growing up. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life at that point, and the military seemed like a great option to either later find a career or stay in the military. I ended up staying in the military, and I enjoyed serving in the Air Force and my last assignment was in intelligence. The camaraderie in the military was great. I still talk to people today that I worked with years ago. It was consistent and I got to go places and see things, and the job was definitely a challenge.

I grew up in Kansas, so when I was retiring from the military and federal civil service, we were looking for a place that was coastal and southeast. We made several trips to the East Coast, from Florida and up into North Carolina, looking for our retirement home and we settled on Beaufort. When we found Beaufort, we knew this was where we wanted to be. It was its small-town, historic feel and the closeness to Charleston, Savannah, or even Jacksonville, which is just three hours down the road. Close to the ocean and not far from the mountains. Geographically, you’ve got access to pretty much everything if you live here. You can go on day trips and pretty much reach any beautiful part of the state.

When I started this job, I wanted to have a job where I could meet people within the community and get to know my community a little better with being a transplant. Eventually, as I learned the town and met people, I was able to become a service to those visiting. Along with enforcing ordinances so visitors have a place to park, I can help answer questions to make their time here better, help them find the visitor center, and direct them to what they are looking for.

That’s the part of the job that gives me the most satisfaction—helping people visiting our town to help enhance their time here. I’m also able to help them as they try to park, to relieve that tension and tell them what the rules are so they’re comfortable. It’s just in another way to help them and alleviate their stress so they can enjoy our community.

I enjoy what I do. I enjoy the people I work with, and for. I enjoy meeting people on the street here from all over the world.”

– Mike Beason, Beaufort Parking Enforcement Officer & Maintenance Officer