Welcome to the Board: Justin Benton

Special Olympics New Hampshire is excited to welcome Justin Benton to our Board of Directors!

Special Olympics New Hampshire is excited to welcome Justin Benton to our Board of Directors!

Justin’s connection to SONH goes back many years through the Benton family and their companies, who have long supported a variety of SONH events. When he moved back to New Hampshire in 2011, NH Representative Frank Guntia introduced him to the organization, and his involvement grew from there. Most recently, Justin reconnected with SONH to help host an event at the NH Sportsplex in Bedford, strengthening his relationship with the athletes, families, and volunteers who make our community thrive.

When asked what inspired him to step into Board service, Justin shared that “the mission of SONH, and the enthusiasm of all the folks who help make it happen, is the inspiration for me to get involved.” He noted that pairing this mission with his passion for youth and adult amateur sports — along with his recent board experience at The Moore Center — made the decision to pursue board service with SONH “an easy one.”

Justin is most looking forward to “the opportunity to hopefully help make a lasting, positive impact, on the organization and for all the people SONH serves in our local community.”

A standout memory for him so far came at the annual SONH Cornhole Tournament, where he met Boston Bruins legend Ray Bourque. While meeting a hockey great was fun, what stayed with Justin was the moment he witnessed Ray’s genuine passion for the athletes and mission — something he noted isn’t always present at celebrity meet and greets.

Justin shared that he feels “very fortunate and grateful for the opportunity to serve,” and we’re just as grateful to have him join the SONH Board of Directors. His energy, experience, and commitment to inclusion will help strengthen SONH’s impact across New Hampshire.