Ben Bain, Business Development Representative, is definitely not cut out to be an undercover spy. Instead, he is an outgoing and friendly face often found traveling the state meeting new people.

 

 

Tell me about your background.
I grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and moved to Marietta, Ohio, in the middle of my sophomore year of high school. I traveled overseas extensively through high school and college with singing groups and orchestras and have always loved foreign languages, so I majored in Russian and East European Studies at Yale University. I was fascinated by the Russian language, people, and political science of the time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

With a degree in Russian, how did you land at Schmidt Associates?
After college, the most obvious route for me would have been to join the CIA or NSA. As I was driving to an interview with the CIA, I pulled over at a payphone and called to cancel. I am just too much of an open book to be able to make a career in intelligence. Instead, I started actively pursuing NBC Television for a job. The Moscow Olympics were quickly approaching, NBC was televising the games, and that would have been a dream job for me. It would have utilized two of my passions—Russia and sports! At that point in history, though, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan, the United States boycotted the Olympic games, and NBC didn’t even televise them. It was time for another plan. I eventually landed in radio, initially selling advertising and talking sports, and then quickly getting into management. After 17 years in broadcasting and weathering many changes in that industry, I decided to make a career change. That is when we moved to Indianapolis, and I started working for a construction management firm—even though at the time, I wasn’t sure what that actually meant! From there, I came to Schmidt Associates in 2002.

What do you do in your free time?
Growing up, my Dad instilled the love of watching sports. When I had kids, I did the same for them. I love going to games whenever I can and am a hard-core Pittsburgh sports fan. I love the Pirates, Steelers, and Penguins!

I am also heavily involved with St. Gabriel the Archangel Catholic Church. In addition to volunteering extensively with their activities, my wife, Clare, and I also work with engaged couples in marriage preparation. Other than that, I enjoy running. Recently, though, I have enjoyed spending time with my first grandson, Rowan.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you have any hidden talents?
Not that I can share.

Do you have anything special at your desk?
Several years ago, I was at a dinner for Marian University and performed the Heimlich Maneuver on a nun. As such, I was recognized as a Hoosier Hero at a Pacers game by Rotary International. That night, I met Paul George. I keep a picture of Paul and me at my desk. Of course, given recent events, I might have to get rid of it now.

Ben has been married to Clare for 33 years. Together, they have three grown children. Benjamin IV currently lives in Dallas. David and his wife, Caitlin, are the proud parents of Rowan and live in Jamestown, IN. Ben’s only daughter, Elizabeth, is at the University of Chicago pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemistry.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As you can tell, Ben is a man of many stories. If you are ever in the neighborhood and want to grab a beer, he could provide you some interesting conversation!

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