Ben is the founder of Horizon Academies, a pre-launch AI-native public school for Nashville students in grades 6 through 12, opening in 2028. Horizon's mission is to prepare a diverse generation to shape our shifting world with wisdom, heart, and purpose. Horizon design themes include human-first, learner-centered, and pathway-connected.

Ben earned his BA from Washington University in St. Louis, his M.Ed. from Lipscomb University, and his MBA from Harvard Business School. He began his career as an analyst at Deloitte before joining the staff of Teach For America, where he led strategy and leadership development work and rose to Senior Managing Director. He left that role to join the corps as a classroom teacher, and was among the first faculty at Valor Collegiate Academies, leading the science team. He later returned to Teach For America as Executive Director in Nashville and Chattanooga, building what became one of the top-ranked teacher preparation programs in Tennessee. His career also includes McKinsey and four founding experiences across education and technology, as well as fractional senior advising in K-12 AI at MGT.

Horizon's model is being tested before it is fully built. In fall 2026, Ben is piloting self-directed, competency-based academics with Valor high school students and Rocketship elementary students. He chairs the board of PIVOT and serves on the boards of Nashville Teacher Residency and Valor. He lives in Nashville with his wife, two boys, and overly aggressive Shichon and Shih Tzu pups, Penny and Albus.