About Ben Sauceda

The son of a first generation Mexican-American, Ben grew up grounded

in the values of hard work, service, and generosity. Those early lessons

shaped a life defined by giving—of time, talent, and treasure—to the

communities he serves.

A driven student, Ben graduated high school at 16. College, however,

proved to be a tougher transition, and he ultimately stepped away

to begin working. What followed was a diverse early career: leading sales

teams, serving nine years as an Associate Pastor, and helping launch and

accredit a Christian school. Each step reinforced a truth Ben would carry

forward—impact rarely comes from choosing the easy path.

After several successful years in insurance, where he led the state in sales

twice, Ben was appointed Deputy Treasurer for Sedgwick County. There,

he oversaw the collection and distribution of nearly $1 billion in annual

tax revenue and led the Tax Team in modernizing processes to better serve citizens.

In 2021, Ben embraced a new challenge as Executive Director of the Kansas Aviation

Museum. His leadership sparked a transformation—reorganizing operations, elevating

the museum’s profile, and cultivating a culture of collaboration. Under his direction,

the museum expanded its mission, strengthened community engagement, and built

partnerships at the state, national, and international levels. Today, it stands as a growing

STEAM leader and a connector for aviation education across Kansas.

Beyond his professional work, Ben is deeply involved in civic and philanthropic life. He was a

2019 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (now Blood Cancers United) Man of the Year candidate

and has served on the organization’s leadership committee since 2020, including chairing the

fundraising campaign in 2025. He has spoken at the NPR National Conference in Atlanta,

participated in a One Small Step conversation with Peabody Award–winning actor Tony Goldwyn,

and actively advocates for civil, respectful public dialogue. He also serves on the State of

Kansas Emerging Aviation Technology Group.

Ben is a husband, father, and foster parent alongside his wife, Alysa. A lifelong Chicago Cubs fan, he grew up watching Harry Caray,

Ryne Sandberg, and other legends. He served seven years as a City Councilmember and continues to contribute through various

boards, committees, and as a member of Wichita Downtown Rotary. At every stage, Ben’s journey reflects his belief that

meaningful impact comes from leaning into the hard things—and doing great things along the way.