About Ben

Ben currently works as a Community Development Director for the City of  Little Canada, MN where he helps guide the community’s public engagement, housing, planning, and economic development initiatives. Ben held the same role for a community in Metro Detroit and navigated differences among elected officials, stakeholders, and residents to build consensus and a positive vision for the city’s future.  He holds a Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Minnesota and has received his American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) credential. Beyond working for local governments, Ben has a background in research, working on multiple projects throughout his academic career and as a researcher for the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank’s Center For Indian Country Development. He has lived almost the entirety of his life in the Great Lakes region of the United States and has a particular passion for building capacity in local governments, shaping local economies, and improving the quality of life of the people he serves.