About Rich
Who is Rich Zeck?

Rich grew up in Michigan, where he built a career in business and taught at Cornerstone University. Over a decade ago, he and his wife Michele made a deliberate choice to move to Pitt County—specifically to lead the Council on Aging and serve eastern North Carolina's seniors.

About Rich | Rich Zeck for Pitt County Commissioner - District 6

Rich grew up in Michigan, where he built a career in business and taught at Cornerstone University. Over a decade ago, he and his wife Michele made a deliberate choice to move to Pitt County—specifically to lead the Council on Aging and serve eastern North Carolina's seniors.

Rich Zeck grew up in Michigan. He and his wife, Michele, moved to Pitt County over a decade ago.

10+
Years Serving Seniors

Executive Director, Pitt County Council on Aging

Rich Zeck for Pitt County Commissioner - District 6

Rich Zeck is executive director of the Pitt County Council on Aging. He previously built a career in business and taught at Cornerstone University.

Rich is executive director of the Pitt County Council on Aging. He previously built a career in business and taught at Cornerstone University.

“I’m honored and looking forward to working with the commissioners,” said Zeck. He moved to Pitt County 10 years ago to take the position of executive director for the Council on Aging. He was elected mayor of Simpson in 2017. “It’s really about creating an environment of unity, and that’s what I want to do and bring a new light, a new day to the county. Just a different perspective,” Zeck said.

Update: Commissioners pick Weaver over Zeck to fill vacant seat on Pitt County board

The previous administration had left the town in financial disarray. Rich rebuilt the reserves, implemented fiscally conservative budgeting, and has been re-elected three more times. His ability to win across party lines isn't politics—it's proof that treating people with respect and dignity works.

Candidate filing is underway in the Village of Simpson’s municipal elections, its first after legislation approved last year changed its cycle from odd-numbered to even-numbered years.

The two-week filing period started Monday, and incumbent Mayor Rich Zeck, who is seeking his fifth two-year term, was the first to file. No one else had filed as of Tuesday.

Filing underway for Simpson council elections

Rich currently serves as mayor of Simpson. He was elected in 2017 and has been reelected three times.

Update: Commissioners pick Weaver over Zeck to fill vacant seat on ...

2026 North Carolina General Election

Rich Zeck’s Position:

“Economic growth should benefit our families, not Raleigh insiders. I support responsible development that attracts jobs, supports small businesses, grows our tax base, and protects property rights. Smart growth fuels lower taxes and keeps more dollars circulating in Pitt County.”

Issues | Rich Zeck for Pitt County Commissioner - District 6

Supports development that attracts jobs, assists small businesses, grows the tax base, and protects property rights.

- Supports development that attracts jobs, assists small businesses, grows the tax base, and protects property rights.

Economy

As of September 2, 2026, Rich Zeck’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Services

Rich Zeck’s Position:

“I will work to expand water, sewer, and prioritize projects based on need—not politics—and ensure funds are used efficiently. Modern infrastructure opens the door for business investment and improves the quality of life for every household.”

Plans to expand water and sewer infrastructure and prioritize projects based on need while using funds efficiently.

- Plans to expand water and sewer infrastructure and prioritize projects based on need while using funds efficiently.

Housing & Urban Development

Rich Zeck’s Position:

“I will push for expanded EMS coverage, partnerships with local health systems, telehealth access, and recruitment incentives for rural medical professionals. This keeps care local, reduces waiting times, and improves emergency response without raising taxes.”

Rich Zeck’s Position:

“I support strengthening recruitment and retention efforts and building skilled labor pipelines to fill shortages. A safe county starts with supporting the men and women who protect it every day.”

Plans to expand emergency medical services coverage, telehealth access, health-system partnerships, and incentives to recruit rural medical professionals without raising taxes.

Supports recruitment and retention efforts and skilled-labor pipelines to address public-safety workforce shortages.

- Plans to expand emergency medical services coverage, telehealth access, health-system partnerships, and incentives to recruit rural medical professionals without raising taxes.
- Supports recruitment and retention efforts and skilled-labor pipelines to address public-safety workforce shortages.

Public Safety

Rich Zeck’s Position:

“I will champion fair investment in infrastructure, broadband, and essential services—without unnecessary government expansion. Protecting our rural communities means ensuring they have the same access to opportunity as the rest of Pitt County.”

Plans to champion investment in infrastructure, broadband, and essential services for rural communities without expanding government unnecessarily.

- Plans to champion investment in infrastructure, broadband, and essential services for rural communities without expanding government unnecessarily.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Rich Zeck’s Position:

“I will advocate for expanded Career & Technical Education, apprenticeships, and partnerships with local businesses, PCC, and trade programs. This creates workforce pipelines in welding, HVAC, healthcare, public safety, IT, and more—supporting both students and local employers.”

Rich Zeck’s Position:

“I will push for long-term capacity planning, transparent budgeting, and reinvestment in classrooms, teachers, and classified staff—without burdening taxpayers. Smart planning today prevents expensive emergency building projects tomorrow.”

Advocates for expanded career and technical education, apprenticeships, and partnerships among businesses, Pitt Community College, and trade programs.

Plans to pursue long-term school-capacity planning, transparent budgeting, and reinvestment in classrooms, teachers, and classified staff without burdening taxpayers.

- Advocates for expanded career and technical education, apprenticeships, and partnerships among businesses, Pitt Community College, and trade programs.
- Plans to pursue long-term school-capacity planning, transparent budgeting, and reinvestment in classrooms, teachers, and classified staff without burdening taxpayers.

Education

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Rich Zeck

Mauricio Mendez

Walter Ley

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor attends and runs City Council meetings, serving as an important leader for how local laws get set. These laws affect local services, such as Police, City Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation.  
- The Mayor in some circumstances may vote to break a tie in council meetings. They do not have veto power.