Benjamin is a distinguished U.S. Army veteran with 14 years of service, during which he was awarded the Bronze Star and completed multiple combat tours as a Forward Observer (13F). Rising to the role of senior non‑commissioned officer, he led teams in high‑stakes environments requiring precision, adaptability, and technical fluency.
He has earned a PhD in Economics from the University of California, Irvine. His dissertation develops a novel Dynamic‑Horizon replacement rule, a framework that determines optimal timing for infrastructure replacement without relying on a discount rate—addressing a central limitation of standard present‑value methods for long‑lived assets. Using both theoretical results and 30 years of water‑utility data, he demonstrates that the approach is tractable, near‑optimal, and provides a practical, policy‑relevant tool for managing infrastructure under uncertainty.
In addition, he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree, graduating summa cum laude with Highest Distinction in Economics and Mathematics from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, and a Master of Science in Economics from Purdue University, where he focused on big data, time‑series forecasting, and dynamic modeling.
Before joining the Army, Benjamin worked as a software engineer and helped design server-side software systems. This early technical foundation shaped his analytical approach to problem‑solving and later informed both his military leadership and academic research.
Beyond his academic and military achievements, Benjamin is an entrepreneur. He founded and continues to serve on the board of a company specializing in gym and retail brand development, as well as niche‑market consulting for performance‑driven consumer businesses.
Outside of his professional work, Benjamin has competed at the world level in Brazilian jiu‑jitsu and currently holds the rank of black belt. His experience in combat sports reflects the same discipline, resilience, and strategic mindset that define his military and academic careers.
Benjamin and his wife are also dedicated dog rescuers, having provided homes to numerous dogs such as greyhounds, Dobermans, beagles. This ongoing commitment reflects their shared values of service, compassion, and community.