At 13 years old, I wasn’t thinking about company strategy or growth plans. I was sweeping floors and organizing shelves in the warehouse of my dad’s Gilbert-based business. Back then, I just wanted to be helpful, to earn my spot, and understand the value of hard work. Fast forward a couple of decades, and I now have the privilege of leading that same company, Benson Systems Inc., into a bold new era of innovation and expansion.
In 2022, at 32, I officially stepped into the role of CEO, taking over the business my father founded in 1986. It was a pivotal moment for both the company and me personally. I had grown up inside Benson Systems, not just watching from the sidelines but working nearly every job we had. From warehouse hand to project manager to executive leadership, I gained firsthand knowledge of how we operate and what makes this place special. Nothing teaches you leadership like being in the trenches. It shaped how I lead today and how I support both our team and our clients.
Succeeding a founder, especially your father, is never easy. There’s a deep responsibility in carrying forward not just a company name but a legacy. I knew from the beginning that I wanted to protect the foundation my dad built, but I also recognized the need to evolve. My mindset has always been: Honor the legacy, but don’t be afraid to disrupt.
That belief became central to reimagining Benson Systems as a future-focused security and technology company. While we started in life safety systems, we’ve grown to embrace cutting-edge solutions across security, smart buildings and infrastructure automation. Today, we protect everything from K–12 schools and hospitals to hotels and government campuses, and we do it through integrated systems that are as intelligent as they are secure.
As we transformed what we offer, I also focused on how we operate. I’ve worked hard to build a company culture that reflects the future we’re creating. That means offering professional development tracks, opening up leadership opportunities from within and ensuring our team members feel they’re part of something meaningful. We’re not just building job sites or server rooms; we’re building a legacy together. One of my proudest accomplishments has been launching mentorship and apprenticeship programs to bring the next generation of tradespeople and tech professionals into the fold, right here in Arizona.
Of course, transformation is just the beginning. We’re actively expanding our regional footprint and investing in research and development to stay ahead of evolving threats and technologies. I don’t want Benson Systems to chase trends; I want us to define what’s next. That means delivering solutions our clients didn’t even know they needed.
My leadership style is rooted in empowerment and transparency. I don’t need to be the smartest person in the room; I want to create a space where the best ideas win, no matter where they come from. Whether it’s a foreman in the field or a client sharing a challenge, I listen — because real innovation starts with understanding real needs.
Growth isn’t without challenges. We’ve had to navigate labor shortages, supply chain issues and the rapid pace of technology, but we’ve met those challenges head-on. By investing in training, strengthening our culture and partnering with tech-forward vendors, we’ve continued to move forward. Today, we’re more than 100 employees strong, with multiple seven-figure projects in progress and a reputation for reliability across Arizona’s commercial development landscape.
I don’t see my role as simply continuing what my dad started. I see it as building something new, something that honors where we’ve been while shaping where we’re going. This business is my family’s story, but it’s also our employees’ and our community’s story. And I believe our next chapter can be even bigger and bolder than anything we’ve done before.
Legacy Reimagined
Founded: 1986 by Shawn Benson
Employees: 100+
Headquarters: Gilbert, Arizona
Eric Benson: Took over as CEO in 2022
Industries Served: education, healthcare, hospitality, government, commercial
Differentiator: Integration of construction and cutting-edge security systems
Did You Know: Benson Systems helped design and install high-tech security and life safety systems for more than 100 schools across Arizona, making campuses safer for thousands of students each day.
Photo courtesy of Benson Systems, Inc.
