Mark Benson has been associated with the financial services industry for more than 35 years. After college he spent some time as an Investment Broker before becoming a banker. His banking career has been primarily associated with commercial lending. Benson previously oversaw the banking operations in Rapid City, SD for First Interstate Bank as well as serves as the Regional Credit Officer for First Interstate Bank in South Dakota. He is now a senior Business Banker for Dacotah Bank.

He was awarded the Small Business Advocate of the year in 1996 from the US Small Business Administration. In 2018 he was named Lender of the Year by Black Hills Community Development. He has served on numerous boards over his career including past chairman of the Rapid City Economic Development Partnership, past President of the Rushmore Rotary Club, and Treasurer of the Rushmore Hockey Association. Currently he is the President of the Rush Foundation and Treasurer of the Black Hills Lacrosse Association.
His current service to the SD Mines Foundation was preceded by a ten-year run as the Treasurer of the SD Mines Alumni Association. He has stated that his work with the SD Mines Foundation has allowed him to give back to his alma mater and keep in touch with the activities of his University.

Benson holds a bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering from the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology and a Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of South Dakota.
Benson hunts, fishes and golfs but mainly is focused on being a husband and father to his wife and three sons.