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Age: 39
Occupation: Attorney (not affiliated with civil rights lawyer Brian Barnard)
Family: Married to Monique Cypers Benard; five adopted children Brinlee (15), Brilynn (14), Brevan (10), Breonca (10), and Brecken (8)
Hobbies: Supporting kids in their numerous activities; traveling; water sports and SCUBA diving; coaching youth athletic teams; going to dinner and movies with wife and friends.
1. Name some of the qualifications you possess that makes you the best choice to represent your city?
After marrying a South Ogden native (Monique Cypers Benard), we decided to raise our five children here, who participate in city recreation programs and on the Youth City Council. I have served on the Weber School District Foundation board for four years, coached innumerable youth teams, was a PTA treasurer, volunteer with several service and church groups, and perform about 100 hours annually of pro bono legal work. I have taken a vocal role in South Ogden on safety and zoning issues. I graduated from Weber State University and the University of Utah College of Law. Professionally, I am a partner of Holland & Hart LLP, the largest law firm in the Rocky Mountains, where I represent companies in commercial disputes and provide employment/human resources counseling to clients. Since 2004 I have been named among Utah's "Legal Elite" by Utah Business Magazine, designated a leading management employment lawyer in Chambers USA (2005-2009), listed in Best Lawyers in America (2008-2010), and am AV rated by Martindale Hubbell, its highest legal and ethical rating.
As a private business owner and corporate litigator with vast experience counseling businesses, I can provide a unique and invaluable viewpoint for our City, as well as providing a sophisticated and pragmatic approach to city affairs. I am committed to providing leadership that listens, considers the issues, and then acts based on reasonable and fair judgment consistent with the views of our great citizens.
2. What political ideals and philosophies guide your decision-making process?
Providing "leadership that listens" isn't just my campaign slogan but an ideal that I have tried to incorporate in all aspects of my life, whether that is at home, at work, on the playing field, or in church and community service. As a public representative my duty would be to lead in a way my constituents desire within the confines of the law. My first job would be to listen, followed by careful consideration of the issues and follow-up, and then taking action based on reasonable and fair judgment. Abraham Lincoln is my political hero. He listened to his constituents and paid particular attention to those who did not have a voice but were truly part of his constituents. He then carefully considered the issues and made the correct moral, ethical, and legal decisions, even if such decisions were difficult. I always try to be fair, honest, ethical, reasonable and consistent in my actions and in the decision-making process.
3. What is the most important issue facing your city?
Smart growth and revitalization. While I view safety and code enforcement issues as important matters the city must carefully address and police, land use and development of South Ogden's limited land resources has reached a critical point. We happen to be a geographically small, basically land-locked city. As such, the responsibility of our elected officials is heightened. We need to resist the urge to continue making South Ogden a place for strip malls/single offices and focus on attracting a wider retail and business presence that will both serve our citizens' physical needs as well as strengthening our tax base, thereby reducing the tax burden on individuals. Certainly, however, such efforts cannot be allowed to interfere with our neighborhoods and "home-town" community feel, which is likely the reason most of us live here. I believe we missed an opportunity for smart growth on the Golf City property and could have more carefully explored mixed uses between residential, open space/parks, and business, with better partnering with the land owner, business interests, and the citizenry. Such partnering is critical for us in the future to attain smart growth of the tax base while preserving our quality of life. At the same time, we must take an active role in revitalizing and helping areas of our city, which will benefit all of us by improving our community and relationships, increasing everyone's property values, and maintaining our collective pride in South Ogden.
4. Name some qualities that you possess that make you a good team worker and able to bring consensus among city leaders.
As one peer review publication wrote: "Bryan Benard is an 'honest, straight-up guy" who epitomizes the word 'reasonable.'" (Chambers USA 2006). I am proud to be viewed in such a way. I strive to treat all with dignity and respect, even when we disagree on issues. Peers have also noted I have a "'firm but fair' approach" to problem solving. (Chambers USA 2007). I listen intently to people, place value on allowing everyone to express their views, and then communicate my position persuasively without belittling others. In my job I work seamlessly in teams of staff members, paralegals, lawyers and clients. I enjoy serving and helping others. These qualities make me an excellent team player and allow me to build a consensus on important issues.
5. What do you think will be some major issues your city will face a generation from now?
Certainly future generations will face the same limited land issue that we are currently facing, but revitalization of our city will be even more important as much of our city in one generation will be considered an "older" part of town. That is, most homes, buildings and infrastructure within South Ogden in one generation will not be new (since there is little room for growth right now) and the leaders of the next generation will face significant need to revitalize and preserve our quality of life. With our limited resources it becomes all the more important for current city leaders to maximize our small commercial zones to provide a durable tax revenue base and maintain the quality of life without overly taxing our citizens. Health, parks and recreation will also be major issues. As we enter the digital age our young people are less and less active. Our older generations have been healthy and lived longer in part because I believe these generations were active in the outdoors, recreation, and community. We must continue to enhance our parks, recreation, and community activities (without unduly increasing the tax burden) to get the "digital" generation away from the video games and into a healthier lifestyle as good community citizens. Such activities will also assist with government's primary role of protecting its citizens, and I expect this issue of public safety will continue to be a major issue for the next generation as well.
