Ben Oleson

Vice President of the Community Growth Institute, Ben has extensive experience in comprehensive and land use planning, zoning administration, and ordinance writing. He most recently served as the Planning & Zoning Administrator for Todd County, Minnesota where he administered the county's shoreland, subdivision, and other land use ordinances. In addition, Ben initiated and led the county through significant ordinance revisions and played a lead role in the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan.

Ben's research has focused on innovative approaches to zoning, shoreland management, land use planning, and GIS-based analysis of development patterns throughout the nation. Oleson holds a Masters of Planning degree from the University of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute and a Bachelors degree in Social Sciences from St. John's University in Minnesota.