Member Profile: Jeff Bensman

Member Profile: Jeff Bensman

Member since: 2010

Occupation: Business consultant, collaborator, networker extraordinaire

Resides in: Milwaukee’s East Side, born in Milwaukee

Family: Wife named Cathy, two daughters and four grandkids ranging 3-16 who live in LA and Stillwater, MN  

Hobbies: Golfing, “grandparenting,” mentoring, volunteering, playing poker

Claim to Fame: Jeff is most proud of his family (Although I might suggest his claim to fame is the friendliest guy in the lounge)

A project he’s proud of:  Helping a young artist scale her business, especially because he’ll admit he’s not very knowledgeable when it comes to art. Learn more about Project Hue

If you’ve been to the lounge, surely you’ve seen Jeff. He’s an affable Boomer with white hair and smiling eyes. He has been self employed his entire career and while some of his peers are slowing down, he’s busier than ever. 

Jeff has been in the insurance business for over 40 years and has utilized what he’s learned to help other businesses thrive. At this point in his life, he’ll only get involved with a project if it’s fun, has an element of giveback, and allows him to work with people where there’s a mutual respect. 

I’ve met Jeff a few times before. He’s a lifelong friend of my dad (Small-waukee!) But I’ve never had the opportunity to dig in and talk to him. We quickly realized that we are two peas in a pod. Hopping around from topic to topic, we give way to our (self-diagnosed) adult ADD. This “affliction" can also be attributed to our deep passion and enthusiasm for a variety of topics. A mutual topic for us that we continually revisit is connecting people and loving our community. Jeff cares a lot about diversity and volunteerism too. When it comes to volunteerism, he says: ”When it’s a good match, you truly get more than you give.”

Jeff is a self-proclaimed sports junkie and argues that you can’t live in Wisconsin and not be a Packers fan. He also loves to root for his alma mater, the UW-Badgers.

Cathy, his wife of 48 years, works part time in the HR industry. She sent him with two of his lifelong friends to Milwaukee Brewers Fantasy Camp that Jeff still calls the coolest gift he’s ever been given. He and Cathy love walking outside at the Lakefront.

Throughout his career, Jeff has been amazed by how much and how quickly technology changes industries. Lately, he’s been working with NRM Streamcast out of Detroit, creating an affiliate network of hyper-local content that can be tailored to different markets. It will create and distribute video content in a variety of industries like e-gaming, business, comedy, sports, music and more.

Although we shy away from the term “networking” here at the MAC because of its stuffy connotation, Jeff really is your guy if you’re looking to make a connection. Follow him on LinkedIn and heed his altruistic advice: “You can’t ask for too much too often, it’s much better to give.”