Career
In the 2008 campaign, Besse received the endorsement of the Progressive Democrats of North Carolina and the Conservation Council of North Carolina. He was appointed to the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission (1993–2005) by Governor Jim Hunt and he also served on the North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission (1985–1993, Chair 1985-1990), the North Carolina Sedimentation Control Commission (1994–2002), and the North Carolina Emergency Response Commission (1987–1992). Climate Action Plan Advisory Group since 2006.
Besse has also served as adjunct or visiting faculty at North Carolina State University, Winston-Salem State University, and Duke University, as well as Guilford College, and Forsyth Technical Community College.
