Ben has served in numerous civic and professional leadership positions including President of the Board of Directors for Kickstand, a statewide organization dedicated to supporting and cultivating entrepreneurs and innovators. In 2009 and 2010 he chaired IdaVation – Kickstand’s annual summit for entrepreneurs and innovators – furthering the support, inspiration and connections needed to foster a culture of innovation in Idaho.

By forming partnerships and collaborating with others, Ben continually finds ways to connect people, share resources and create solutions. Ben has worked with the Idaho Technology Council, Kickstand, City Club of Boise, Idaho Business Review, Idaho Statesman, Boise Weekly, Boise State University, University of Idaho, Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Treasure Valley Family YMCA, Boise Art Museum, United Way of Treasure Valley and other educational institutions and community, civic, arts and business groups in the Boise area to create win-win outcomes. He also worked closely with Hewlett-Packard Company (HP) and the City of Boise to help in the creation of the Business Advocate Program – helping connect local small businesses with talented teams of leaders within the HP network.

After identifying a need to better connect, empower and engage young professionals in the Boise area, Ben founded the Boise Young Professionals (BYP). Under Ben’s leadership, BYP grew to an organization of more than 830 members from over 400 companies in less than five years and is today recognized as one of the premier organizations of its kind in the country. He has been a featured speaker, advisor and consultant on the topic of developing programs for next generation leaders to numerous chambers of commerce and cities in Idaho and across the country.

The Leadership Boise Alumni Association is another new program to cultivate and support leaders launched by Ben. Ben brought together volunteers, Leadership Boise class participants and alumni, local businesses and Chamber staff to create a sustainable program that will enhance and encourage civic leadership in the Boise community into the future. Leadership Boise is one of the longest-standing Chamber-run community leadership programs in the country. 1,400 community and civic leaders have graduated from the program since 1977.

Ben oversaw and further improved the prestigious Leadership Boise program by empowering others to take on greater leadership roles and continually researching local and national best practices. Each year he helped guide over 50 current and future community leaders through 10 full-day experiential sessions to encourage a better understanding of the current/potential challenges and unique strengths of the Boise Valley. He also oversaw the high school version of the program called Leadership Boise Academy, which educates junior-level students from Boise, Meridian and Eagle high schools on the concepts of community engagement and leadership.

Ben received his B.A. in Communication from Boise State University and his M.A. in Organizational Leadership from George Fox University. He currently sits on the Board of Directors for Kickstand, Advisory Board for Boise State University’s College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs, Advisory Board for George Fox University’s School of Business, and remains an active volunteer for other community organizations.

Ben is a recipient of the Idaho Business Review’s Accomplished Under 40 in Idaho, Kickstand’s Meg Carlson Leadership Award, the Capitol Lion’s Community Service Award and is a graduate of Leadership Boise and the Boise Citizen’s Police Academy.

Ben and his wife Christine live in Southeast Boise with their two dogs Charlie and Tucker. They are avid users of Boise parks, the Greenbelt, and trails in the foothills.