Background
Whitney grew up in Minnesota branch of the prominent American Whitney family and is of close relation to Vanderbilt family.
Whitney grew up in Minnesota branch of the prominent American Whitney family and is of close relation to Vanderbilt family.
He graduated high school from Verde Valley School in Sedona, Arizona in 1974. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Vassar College magna cum laude in Poughkeepsie, New York and a Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota Law School magna cum laude.
Whitney went on to practice law with Popham, Haik, Schnobrich, and Kaufman Limited. where he specialized in regulatory industries such as health care, cable television and election law. He was elected president of the Minnesota Venture Capital Association. He was also chief executive officer of Whitney Management Company, a private investment advisory firm.
Whitney"s entrance into politics came in 2004, where he was the Minnesota executive director and finance chair for the Bush-Cheney 2004 presidential campaign, as well as Minnesota finance chair for the Republican National Committee.
United States. Ambassador to Norway
Benson K. Whitney was nominated as the United States. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Norway by President George West. Bush on September 23, 2005. His nomination was confirmed by the United States. Senate on October 28, 2005, and he was sworn in by United States. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on November 28, 2005.
He presented his credentials to King Harald V of Norway on January 12, 2006.
Former trustee, director, chairman, advisor numerous nonprofit organizations including Guthrie Theater, Wilderness Inquiry, Minnesotans for Term Limits, Minneapolis Academy, Persephone Fund, Headwaters Fund.
Married Mary Whitney. 4 children.