Meet Benny
Dr. Benjamin M. (Benny) White is a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, educator, and public servant who has devoted his career to leadership, service, and strengthening the communities he has served.
A graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and a member of the Army football team, Dr. White served 22 years as a Field Artillery Officer in the United States Army before retiring from active duty in 2008. During his Army career, he served in command and leadership positions before being selected as an Assistant Professor at West Point and later Professor of Military Science and Battalion Commander at Wheaton College. Today, he continues that commitment to developing future leaders as the Senior Army Instructor for the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program at Joliet West High School.
Since moving to Naperville in 2005, Dr. White has remained actively engaged in civic and community life. He served on the Indian Prairie School District 204 Board of Education, including as Board Secretary, and on Naperville’s Board of Fire and Police Commissioners before being elected to the Naperville City Council in 2017. He was re-elected in 2021 and 2025 and was the first person of color elected to the Naperville City Council.
His commitment to the community extends beyond City Council through service with the Naperville Development Partnership, Naperville Community Television (NCTV17), Loaves & Fishes Community Services, and 360 Youth Services. He is also the founder of Naperville Neighbors United, a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening community connections and celebrating Naperville’s diversity.
Dr. White earned a Bachelor of Science in Management from the United States Military Academy at West Point, a Master of Science in Kinesiology from Indiana University, a Master of Business Administration from Webster University, and a Doctor of Business Administration with a concentration in Values-Driven Leadership from Benedictine University.
Benny and his high school sweetheart, Kim, have been married for nearly four decades and have called Naperville home since 2005. They are the parents of two adult children.
