Ben grew up in Cocoa Beach, graduating from Cocoa High School. After attending the University of Georgia and working at Georgia radio stations, he returned to Florida in 1974. In 1976 Ben became program director of WRKT-AM 1300/ WRKT-FM 104.1 in Cocoa Beach, then joined "CK101" WCKS-FM 101.1 in Cocoa Beach as program director when they switched it to a hot hits CHR. It was an immediate smash – going to number one in one book. Ben stayed a year, then was hired by KIOA/KMGK in Des Moines. In 1979 Ben joined Metromedia serving as PD in both Baltimore (WCBM) and Seattle (KJR). In 1983 he joined Dan Mason as PD at KFMK in Houston. He was then transferred to WPGC in Washington, DC as general manager in 1987. He spent almost 15 years in DC. Then he retired and returned to north Florida. He was market manager of the Gainesville Pamal Broadcasting stations, then re-joined CBS Radio as Senior Vice President/Market Manager of the West Palm Beach cluster of 5 stations. He was one of the early guys to move from programming to general manager.