Brother Benner, known as “ Styx” during his college days, went through quite a change professionally 20 years ago. After earning his Bachelor’s with Honors in Chemical Engineering in 1969, he spent his first 11 years out of college in sales and distribution. Although he found great success in the business, he turned to a new field and a new future.
In 1980, he graduated Cum Laude from Fordham University law school at the age of 33 and began a second career in Real Estate law. He currently practices at Foley & Lardner in Milwaukee, where he’s less than 2 hours away from his daughter Kate, 20, who attends the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He and his wife Gwen also have another child, son Casey, 16, who is a sophomore at Shorewood High School.
Brother Benner has taken time in his schedule to participate in community activities that hit close to home. He is a former member on the Board of Directors for Independence First, a non-residential community Living Center that aids individuals with disabilities in the metro Milwaukee area. Through his leadership and dedication, the center has helped thousands of people acclimate to a world that is often difficult for those in their situations. Brother Benner is also a past President of the Shorewood Little League and a former Board Member for the Milwaukee Management Support Organization. Once again, he has not strayed far from the characteristics that have made him a leader in both life and within the Chi Chapter.
As a member of Kappa Sigma and the Chi Chapter, Brother Benner displayed a knack for professionalism and maturity. Gaining his roots during pledgship, when he was Pledge Class President, Brother Benner led by example. His dedication to academics was also tempered with his strong social skills. He spent countless hours helping his brothers become better students and men.
As a deserving inductee to the Chi Chapter Hall of Fame, Brother Benner’s loyalty to the chapter has come full circle. Taking a page from the elder members during pledgeship, he provided others with an important example to follow as an active member. Now as an alumnus and member of the Chi Chapter Hall of Fame, Brother Benner has a new, larger group of men in which to inspire. Hopefully, those who follow in his footsteps will feel the same love for the chapter as he and in turn, attempt to give back to others in a similar fashion. Humble and honest, Brother Benner wrote, “I truly consider most of those guys a ‘brother,’ even more so than some of my siblings. I truly enjoyed my four years at Chi.”
