Meet Ben
Experience | Leadership | Vision
Brother Johnson has been an engaged member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon all his adult life. As a founding father of California Psi (UC Irvine), Johnson was elected to serve as it’s Eminent Deputy Archon leading the development of the colony to its successful chartering. Upon graduation, Johnson remained involved as a young alumnus serving as a chapter advisor for both his home chapter (Cal Psi) as well as neighboring California Omicron (UC Riverside). Recognizing a void in local alumni engagement, Johnson founded the Southern California Area Alumni Association and the Cal Psi Chapter Alumni Association. In addition to serving as Alumni Association President for 12 years, he was elected as Province Chi-Alpha Deputy Archon and mentored all chapters in Southern California for 7 years. He has been honored to serve
the realm in numerous additional leadership roles as a faculty member of the John O’ Moseley Leadership School and the Levere Leadership Institute; and as a member of the True Gentleman Task Force, the Eminent Supreme Recorder (ESR) Search Committee, the Strategic Plan Committee, and most proudly as the Chairman of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee. His consistent service over many years and on several levels has been formally recognized by the fraternity as he’s been awarded the Order of the Lion, the Order of Minerva and The Merit Key.
In addition to his service to our Fraternity, Johnson has created a legacy of community service in Southern California. He was elected to the Alvord Unified School District Board of Education to an unprecedented five consecutive terms, serving for a total of twenty-one years. In addition to his service as a school board member, he has also served in a variety of not-for-profit and professional leadership and service roles including as a member of the Board of Directors for Big Brothers & Big Sisters, a member of the Riverside Community Health Foundation, a member of the board of directors for the Youth Service Center and Director of Homeless Outreach, and Vice-Chairman of both the Human Relations Committee and the City of Riverside Charter Review.
Johnson earned his bachelor's degree from the University of California at Irvine in 1987. Professionally, he currently serves as a Regional Care Lead for UCB Biopharma and as a consultant for the California School Boards Association and the school superintendent search firm McPherson & Jacobson. Although an eager volunteer to help where he is needed, his faith and family remain his number one priority. He currently resides in Riverside, California with Stacy, his wife of 26 years. Together they have raised four daughters: Rebekah, Anastacia, Rachel and Abigail.
Looking to Connect with Ben?
Phone Number: (951)-316-9615
Email Address: bjohnson@sae.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ben4sae
The Big Picture
"The Supreme Council is the governance body for SAE. As a former school board trustee of a large school district, I have 21 years of governance experience. I am committed to serving the undergraduate and alumnus members of SAE. We need to do a better job of living the True Gentlemen, expanding chapters throughout the realm, improving the experience of our Brothers so they remain engaged at some level for life. With two decades of government experience, I know what it takes to find solutions, navigate complicated institutions, and get things done.."
Platform Priorities
Grow
1. With a strong focus on the core values of SAE, implement a two-pronged approach to fraternity growth: Growth of undergraduate membership within our chapters and expansion of the number of chapters across the Realm
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2. Chapter Expansion: Implement an aggressive plan designed to establish new chapters across the Realm. Think strategically about where we establish Colonies. Explore opportunities on campuses where SAE has not been in the past.
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3. Provide the necessary resources and support to our undergraduate members in order that they can implement best-in-class, modern recruiting practices for their chapters on their campuses.
Engage
1. Work together as a national organization to better engage our membership throughout life.
2. Design programs and opportunities to connect our undergraduates with our many proud and accomplished alumni to focus on mentoring, job placement, networking and life after college.
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3. Develop a structured Mentoring Toolkit for Chapters to implement. Three levels to re-engage alumnus: Lunch & Learn, Job Shadowing, and Formal Mentoring Program.
Adapt
1. Use the power of our recent changes to prove ourselves as leaders both on and off campus and in the Greek world as a whole.
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2. Get Rid of Us vs Them perception. Re-connect and build trust/confidence between Chapter and FSC
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3. Use the power of our recent changes to prove ourselves as leaders both on and off campus and in the Greek world
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4. Cross-functional teaming with non-Greek organizations and community organization
Rise Above
1. Rise Above—our new brand. We live in precarious times where SAE, and the Greek world as a whole, is constantly under attack. We must take advantage of reputation as program and policy leaders to Rise Above the fray and show how to live the True Gentleman.
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2. Real and relevant alumnus and undergraduate training relative to realities we are facing on campuses
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3. Partner with appropriate agencies/organization to ensure hazing and unhealthy behaviors are eliminated.
Blog Posts & More:
December 3, 2018
Stand Up To Harvard
CAMBRIDGE, MASS.— Today, sororities, fraternities, and students filed a pair of lawsuits challenging a Harvard sanctions policy that punishes students who join off-campus, single-sex social organizations. The lawsuits describe how Harvard used a campaign of threats and intimidation to scare students into abandoning their fundamental rights to free association and to live free of sex discrimination.
October 3, 2018
Anti-Hazing Legislation
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An anti-hazing law named in honor of a Penn State fraternity pledge who died following a hazing ritual was signed into law in Pennsylvania Friday. The law, which will enforce stricter criminal penalties for hazing, comes after Tim Piazza, a 19-year-old sophomore from New Jersey, died after his first night pledging Penn State’s Beta Theta Pi fraternity in 2017.
Piazza's parents, Jim and Evelyn Piazza, who have become anti-hazing advocates in the wake of their son's death. The law will require schools to help prevent hazing, provide law enforcement tools to address hazing and hold abusers accountable, it "one of the nation’s strongest anti-hazing laws."
September 10, 2018
Love Mom and Dad
Love, Mom & Dad, a keynote address given by the parents of Tim Piazza, Max Gruver, and Marquise Braham, was presented at the 83rd John O. Moseley Leadership School of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. The video above reflects a snapshot of what occurred over more than three hours of presentation, dialogue, and workshops. The losses felt by Evelyn and Jim Piazza, RaeAnn and Steve Gruver, and Maille and Rich Braham touched all those in attendance.
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Following the initial presentation by the parents, the 500 plus attendees spent two hours dialoguing, brainstorming and problem-solving. Every man in the audience participated, first in small group sessions to process the message and next in four large groups to develop a commitment and agreed-upon set of actions to take home to their brothers, chapters, campuses, and communities. A summary of their commitments was presented on stage to their peers and the parents of Tim, Max, and Marquise.
Endorsements
"I had the recent privilege of serving alongside Ben Johnson on SAE’s True Gentleman Task Force. He is impressive, not just because of his longtime volunteerism, his professional accomplishments. and his great love for Sigma Alpha Epsilon, but rather for his love and affinity for ALL Sigma Alpha Epsilon men. The dialogue we participated in during our time together was an honest yet hard conversation with difficult topics. I watched Ben participate at the board table with Supreme Council members and recent alumni, and I noted him listening and tuning in to the younger voices just as much as those with decades of SAE experience. ……he’s the everyday SAE. He’s a great guy with a common sense approach, he’s a dad, he’s an education leader, and he has college-aged kids. He gets it. He gets you and it matters to him. I’ve always been a big fan of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, but I get even more excited about the future of the Fraternity and Sorority movement knowing we have leadership like Ben’s on our side. “
Leslie Herington
Chief Executive Officer
CHI OMEGA FRATERNITY
“Earlier this year I had the honor and privilege of meeting Ben Johnson. Although I have only known him for a short period of time, when I think of a True Gentleman he is now one of the first people that comes to mind. His vision to Grow, Engage, Adapt, and Rise Above are exactly what the Fraternity needs right now. His extensive leadership experience, in a multitude of settings, have prepared him to take on this excited opportunity to serve the Fraternity. He has my full support and recommendation for Supreme Council!”
Spencer Long
"The SAE organization and its members have benefited greatly over the years from Ben's thoughtful leadership, commitment to service, and dedication to our values. A True Gentleman through-and-through, he will be an outstanding addition to the Supreme Council - he has my vote!"
Joe Richey
Pennsylvania Alpha-Zeta ('09)
President, Penn State SAE Alumni Association
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"I am proud to endorse Ben Johnson for the Supreme Council. He is exactly the sort of decisive, deliberative, and thoughtful leader SAE needs in this time of rapid and significant change for America’s fraternities. Ben knows when to speak up and when to listen. He has always been an absolute pleasure to work with, and I appreciate his commitment to not only doing the job, but doing it right.
SAE, and the world, needs True Gentlemen more than ever, and Ben Johnson is that True Gentleman."
Alan Moore
"I support Ben Johnson for Eminent Supreme Chronicler. At this critical juncture in the fraternity world, Ben has the right experience, approach, and vision that SAE needs to continue to be one of the premier men’s college fraternities. His historic candidacy is also a moment for SAE to show the world what it is really made of. I hope you will join me in supporting Ben."
"I am proud to throw my full support behind Ben Johnson for your next Eminent Supreme Chronicler. I have known Ben for nearly 30 years and am continually amazed at his zeal and steadfast dedication to our beloved Fraternity. He is the brother who will help us gear up as we Rise Above!"
Roger (RJ) Gallegos
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"I have been blessed to serve a lifetime with so many remarkable brothers from other chapters which confirms the promises spoken in our initiation ceremony. Ben Johnson has been a steadfast supporter of our Phoenix SAE Alumni Association, local colony and new AZ Beta chapter as well as his many years of service in California. His dedicated years of leadership and service in education have prepared him well to serve the fraternity on the Supreme Council. I endorse Brother Ben as our next Eminent Supreme Chronicler."
Stan Strom
AZ Beta '82
Clark Brown
"Since meeting Brother Ben Johnson, I have realized that his compassion, dedication and commitment to Sigma Alpha Epsilon is deeply rooted in serving our new members. He understands the importance of working with our alumni and growing our experiences, but while understanding that as we grow, so will the undergraduates. Considering that Brother Johnson is very family-focused he truly sees our brotherhood as an extension of his family. I am excited to support Brother Johnson in his mission to Grow, Engage and Adapt as ESC so that we all can Rise Above and continue to make a massive impact in our brotherhood and communities."
Vinnie Dangerfield
Founder & CEO / Transformational Wellness Coach at Mezomarphx
Kent State '15
"I am pleased to endorse Ben’s candidacy for Eminent Supreme
Chronicler of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon National Fraternity. During the times our
discussions the issues facing fraternities in general and SAE in particular I have
found our approach to be very similar.
His commitment to SAE as a volunteer is impressive and background as a
Board of Education member and as a Consultant to the California School Boards
displays his interest in developing our emerging adults to their fullest potential.
I appreciate his willingness to step forward and provide his expertise to help
lead SAE."
“Ben has been a consistently active and engaged alumni and mentor to numerous SAE’s since I met him 15 years ago. He continues to go above and beyond in all his leadership endeavors and truly represents SAE's mission to advance the highest standards of friendship, scholarship, leadership and service for our members throughout life.”
"Ben Johnson, Eminent Supreme Chronicler. That has a great ring to it! I have seen Ben in action for the last ten years that I have been involved with SAE on a national level. He lives our Creed and is devoted to our Brothers. He brings the vision, energy and temperament that are exactly what we need for SAE to thrive in challenging times. I can think of no better person to help lead us now and into the next decade."
Jim Mountain
University of Montana, 1981
Building Corporation President
SAE Foundation Trustee
Hugh B. Miller
President - Mother Mu House Corporation
"No matter how difficult things got for me when I was ESR, Ben Johnson was someone who was always there for me. Our friendship grew through those difficult times. He could have easily stepped aside and let someone else carry the load. I would have understood if he had done that. However, Ben was someone who stood up and shouted from the roof tops his support for SAE. Ben is a great member of SAE and an even better person. I 100% support Ben, and I hope you will join me as well."
Boomer Ayers
Chief Legislative Officer for the North American Interfraternity Conference
Past Eminent Supreme Recorder
“I had the privilege of initially meeting Ben when he volunteered at the Levere Leadership Institute. From the first time I had the opportunity to speak with Ben, I knew he embodied exactly what it meant to be a True Gentleman. Not only had he made a huge impact on his home chapter by serving as a founding father, but he also relentlessly gave back to our beloved fraternity by helping mold undergraduates into the leaders of tomorrow. Most recently, I had the honor of working with Ben on the True Gentleman Task Force. Ben’s ability to grasp the challenges we as a fraternity face and present creative solutions makes me certain that he will be a tremendous asset to the Supreme Council. Ben’s brand-focused platform which outlines growth, engagement, and adaptability is exactly what our organization needs moving forward. I am confident that with Ben as Chronicler, we will be able to Rise Above all obstacles and continue to be a leader within the Greek world.”
"I am proud to endorse Ben Johnson for the Supreme Council. Ben has demonstrated his commitment to the fraternity time and time again. His involvement and leadership with the SAE Alumni Association and the University of California Irvine Chapter, has provided an exceptional model for undergraduates and graduates alike. Ben’s experience as a Trustee of the Alvord Board of Education for almost two decades is only one example of Ben’s Legacy to his community. His leadership in his service to his community, Fraternity and family have more than prepared Ben for his role on the Supreme Council. SAE needs Ben Johnson."
Edwin D. Fuller
President of Laguna Strategic Advisors
Conner Whitten
MS Theta (Mississippi State University)
Jason Hamilton
Get Involved
Here's an opportunity to do something that will impact our Fraternity.
Help Ben make a difference.
There are many ways to volunteer, from social media engagement to making phone calls.
Let us know how you can help:
Volunteer
Encourage your brothers to join the campaign. Ben needs your help and support. Check out our facebook page and share it with your friends.
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Endorse Ben
Join others that are supporting Ben's candidacy. Send an email to Ben at ben4sae@gmail.com and help highlight his commitment to the Fraternity.
Donate to the SAE Foundation
The Foundation raises and manages funds to support the educational initiatives of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and the maintenance and operation of the Levere Memorial Temple. Your continued support is needed.
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