About Ben Avey

Ben Avey has represented neighborhoods in Fair Oaks, Gold River, Orangevale, and Citrus Heights on the San Juan Unified School District Board of Education since 2022. In 2024 he was unanimously elected Board President by his colleagues. Ben has also served as Board Clerk and as the board's liaison to the district's Special Education Community Advisory Committee. In 2023 he was appointed by his colleagues to serve as a delegate to the California School Boards Association. 

 

Ben is a parent of four school-age children and nonprofit leader who has dedicated his career to improving local neighborhoods through public policy, advocacy, and community engagement.

 

Born and raised in Fair Oaks, Ben is a graduate of Del Campo High School and San Diego State University. He has been an advocate for state and local non-profits for nearly 20 years. He has also served as a state legislative policy aid and as civilian public affairs officer for the U.S. Navy in Japan. He is currently the chief public affairs officer at WellSpace Health, a non-profit community health system serving the underserved throughout Sacramento County.

 

A lifelong community volunteer, Ben was the founder and past president of the San Juan Parents Association (an independent community group) and past president of his kids’ school site council. He has also served as Board President for Friends of Camp Sacramento, on the Executive Committee of the Sacramento County Public Health Advisory Board, and as a Board Member for the Community Health Center Alliance for Patient Access. 
 

Ben has been awarded the U.S. Navy’s Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, recognized as 40 Under 40 by SD Metro Magazine, and in recognition of his service to teens and adults with disabilities, honored with a community service award.

 

Ben lives in Fair Oaks with his wife and kids, who all attend district schools.