Benson K Whitney

Benson K. Whitney served as the US Ambassador to Norway from November 28, 2005. Until June 20, 2009. He received his BA magna cum laude from Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, and earned his JD from the University of Minnesota Law School in Minneapolis. His father, Wheelock Whitney, Jr., was a classmate of George H.W. Bush at Phillips Andover Academy. Whitney’s career has included extensive experience in business, law, and community affairs. Whitney practiced law, specializing in health care, cable television and other regulated industries as well as election law. He then served as Managing General Partner of the Gideon Hixon Fund, an evergreen venture capital fund focused on early stage technology and health care companies in Minnesota and California. Whitney was elected President of the Minnesota Venture Capital Association and advised and managed several other venture funds. He has served as Chief Executive Officer of Whitney Management Company, a private investment advisory firm. Whitney has been involved for many years in Republican Party politics at the local, state and national levels. He served as Minnesota Executive Director and Minnesota Finance Chair for Bush-Cheney ’04, as well as Minnesota Finance Chair for the Republican National Committee. According to the opensecrets website, between 1994 and 2007, he contributed $232,723 to Republican candidates and organizations. In 2000, however, he made contributions to federal election campaigns and political committees that exceeded the annual aggregate limits for individuals by $5,500, and had to disgorge the same amount as a penalty.