Ben Duncan, CenturyLink Market Development Manager for Atlanta, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee, recently received the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce Civitas Award as outstanding employee of the year. However, when you ask him about his award, he’s quick to praise his co-workers at CenturyLink.

“I work with a<i> ton </i>of good employees who are even better people. Next time you see a CenturyLink employee talk to them, ask them questions. We always have time to talk and get to know our community.”

A Beaufort native, Ben is also a 2014 graduate of Leadership Beaufort. Previously serving as Retail Sales Manager for CenturyLink, Ben says he was looking for a position within the company where he could make the biggest impact. In his current position, he’s responsible for consumer and multi-dwelling unit sales, community events and media relations.

“Right now this role is exactly what I was looking for,” he says. “I’ve been interested in sales since I was a kid selling sea shells I found at the beach at my little storefront I set up by the road in my neighborhood.”

In addition to coordinating CenturyLink’s annual food drive called Backpack Buddies Food Drive which runs between June 1-12th and has raised more than 28 million pounds of food for the needy across the country, Ben has also served as both a Chamber board member and an Alzheimer’s Family Services of Beaufort board member for the last three years.

Ben and his wife Heather are parents to five-year old Dylan and eight-month old Morgan. When he’s not busy with his young family or work, Ben bowls in a weekly league, something he’s done since he was a kid.

Ever the team player, Ben’s believes, “If we all work together, we can achieve great things.” For him, that includes continuing to grow professionally and personally, “by surrounding myself with great people!”