Collins will run for open seat

Ray Collins, a longtime North Myrtle Beach resident, retired mechanical engineer, small business owner and Vietnam veteran, has announced his candidacy for the Crescent Beach seat on the North Myrtle Beach City Council.

Collins brings a lifetime of service, leadership and community involvement to his campaign. He is an Army veteran who served in Vietnam and has spent decades leading, building, and serving both professionally and personally. Before retirement, he worked as a mechanical engineer, a career grounded in problem-solving, critical thinking, precision, and accountability.

He helps his wife with her locally owned small business in North Myrtle Beach. The company is ‘Soiree by the Sea’, an events company. They are a one stop shop for marriage ceremonies and other events. They set up proposals, anniversaries, birthday parties and other events to help celebrate life’s most meaningful moments. Collins has personally officiated more than 300 weddings across North and South Carolina, giving him a unique connection to families and visitors who choose North Myrtle Beach for their most important milestones.

He is also well known for his civic engagement and  is the founder of the Facebook page, ‘Friends of NMB’, which has grown to more than 11,000 followers. Through the page, he keeps residents informed about local events, development issues, public meetings, and matters impacting the community. The page has become a trusted source of information and a forum for open dialogue among residents.

Collins is deeply involved in local culture and has a deep love for the beach, having grown up in Wilmington, NC. He is a previous Shag Club president, which made the move to North Myrtle Beach an easy choice. His appreciation for the traditions and identity that make North Myrtle Beach unique has helped introduce him to many friends and he continues to make more friends every week.

He is a former youth pastor and served in that role for over 20 years. During that time, he led numerous mission trips to the Navajo Nation in New Mexico and Arizona sharing love and helping to build churches and homes. These experiences helped to shape his belief in service, communication, and meeting people where they are.

“I believe any effective leader should be able to communicate with anyone,” Collins said. “Listening, respecting different perspectives, and being honest with people are essential if you want to represent them well.” As an independent community-focused candidate, Collins says he is not interested in politics as usual. Instead, he hopes to bring transparency, practical thinking, and a resident-first approach to North Myrtle Beach City Council.

“I love North Myrtle Beach, which has been my home for many years,” Collins said. “I care deeply for this community that I call my beach family and I want to ensure decisions are made with integrity, common sense, and respect for the people who live here.”