Over the past 15 years Benjamin has worked to place more than 60 economic development projects and over $1.5 Billion dollars in capital investment in multiple states. Ben has represented economic development organizations and private sector clients on statewide, regional and local levels. Clients have called on Ben for governmental affairs at the Federal, State and local levels to advocate for strong public investment or ensuring the passage of project enabling legislation. He has also authored three federal studies between the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Energy. Ben’s work has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, Wall Street Journal, Popular Mechanics, National League of Cities Case Study, Business Expansion Journal, Trade and Industry Magazine and multiple local and regional media outlets. He has been a featured speaker about economic development for Smithsonian Institute, International Economic Development Council (IEDC), Urban Land Institute (ULI), National League of Cities, National Association of Industry Specific Training and numerous local and regional economic development conferences. In addition, Ben has led his team to earn recognition as an Accredited Economic Development Organization (AEDO) by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). This accreditation places his economic development team among an elite group of 50 economic development entities in the world recognized as the best of the best and models of achievement in the economic development field. Ben earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Mississippi College and his Masters of Business Administration from the University of Mississippi serving as a John N Palmer fellow. Subsequently Ben furthered his professional education by completing the Economic Development Institute administered by the University of Oklahoma and has earned the designation of Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) from the National Development Council.