Ben Bernsten Named Among 2018 People You Should Know

ROCKFORD, IL (Nov. 2, 2018) — Ben Bernsten, president of Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois, was named one of the 2018 People You Should Know by the Rockford Chamber of Commerce.

Bernsten was one of the 20 people recognized during a special reception Thursday, November 1, at the Tebala Event Center in Rockford, IL. People You Should Know started in 2011, and the program has honored 121 leaders since then.

This latest group features eight women and 12 men representing a variety of industries, including health care, government, nonprofits, finance, education, manufacturing and professional services. Honorees are business leaders who impact their respective organizations and industries and who positively affect the local business environment.

Prior to being named Goodwill President in 2018, Bernsten was responsible for all aspects of Goodwill’s retail operation and legal affairs within the 18 county territory and created numerous new programs and revenue generating operations including the e-commerce program, Goodwill Outlet Store, Donation Express Donation Center, corporate donations program, Halloween program and expanded recycling and salvage operation with revenue benefiting the Goodwill mission programs.  Bernsten is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Law School in Madison, WI. He is also currently a Trustee with Rock River Water Reclamation District, and serves on the board of The Workforce Connection, the Transform Rockford Steering Committee, GiGi’s Playhouse and Northwest Community Center in Rockford.