Ben’s love and devotion to the community is nurtured by his deep roots in Manteca. In the 1950s, Ben’s father moved the family from the Bakersfield area in advance of starting his sugar beet harvesting and trucking business. “At the age of 15, I was driving highway trucks delivering sugar beets from the beet fields to Spreckels Sugar in Manteca and Holly Sugar in Tracy,” Ben recalls. “By 17, I was driving trucks delivering produce from the fields to destinations in northern and southern California. During some of these days, my workday started at 5 a.m. and ended after sunset.”

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Ben’s parents bought their first home in 1960 from Mr. Antone Raymus, located next to Spreckels Sugar, at the end of Yolo Street. He attended kindergarten at Lindbergh School, other grades at Lincoln School, and graduated from Manteca High School in 1969, where he majored in Science and Mathematics. Ben graduated from San Joaquin Delta Junior College in Stockton in 1972, majoring in architecture, construction technology, and business administration with a minor in engineering. In 1976, Ben attended college extension courses and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of San Francisco.

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In the fall of 1972, Ben was scheduled to attend architectural school at the University of California at San Luis Obispo when he received a phone call that would change the course of his career. “It was from the City of Manteca,” Ben remembers, “asking if I would be interested in applying for a position in their newly formed Planning Department.” He interviewed for the position, was hired, and served the City of Manteca for the next thirty-five years. As a City Planner, Ben managed staff and the operations of Manteca’s planning and community development department, including budgeting, personnel matters, work and project schedules, short and long-term planning, attended planning commission and city council meetings, and represented Manteca at outside agencies.

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During his tenure with the City, Ben had opportunities to initiate and to operate a number of businesses, which, with his educational background, expanded the breadth of his business and life experiences. In the 35 years, he has owned and operated a land use and architectural business, constructed and operated a snack shop in the Manteca Industrial Park, a screen printing business, a retail store in downtown Manteca, and managed a six-truck trucking business hauling heavy steel products from our area to Los Angeles and San Francisco. Ben has also been involved in various community organizations throughout the years, including the Manteca Kiwanis, Central Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Knights of Columbus, and past President and Board Member of Valley CAPS.

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“It’s all about service,” Ben said when asked why he is running in this campaign for Mayor. “I have been blessed to live in such a wonderful community as the City of Manteca. Now, it’s my turn to give back.”