For more than two decades, Thad Bench has called Kent County home. It’s where he and his wife, Renee, raised their two children, built a business, and became deeply involved in the organizations and institutions that strengthen the community.

Born in Goshen, Indiana, in 1960, Thad earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Elmira College in 1984. He and Renee have been married for 36 years, and their two adult children, Thad II and Morgan, both grew up in Kent County.

Thad has spent his career building and leading businesses. Since the age of 24, he has held full responsibility for the financial performance and day-to-day operations of companies ranging from manufacturing and distribution to professional services. He is best known locally as the founder of Benchworks Health Group, a Kent County-based company that helped small and mid-sized pharmaceutical companies bring medicines to market. The company grew from its Eastern Shore roots into a successful healthcare services firm before its acquisition in 2024.

That experience taught Thad something fundamental: strong organizations don’t succeed by standing still. They succeed by listening, adapting to change, bringing good people together, managing resources responsibly, and remaining focused on long-term results.

Those are the same skills he believes Kent County needs as it confronts the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Thad is also the author of Noble Work: A Practical Guide to Profitable, Principled Business Growth, published by Forbes Books in 2026. The book reflects a philosophy that has guided his career: success and strong values are not competing ideas. The best growth is responsible, principled, and built to last.

Invested in the Community

Thad’s commitment to Kent County extends well beyond his professional life. He has served as a trustee of Washington College since 2018 and currently serves as Chair of the Washington College Innovation Plant Community Relations Board. His past and current community involvement also includes:

• Trustee, Washington College
• Chair, Washington College Innovation Plant Community Relations Board
• Past Board Member, The Kent School
• Past Executive Committee Member, Chesapeake Conservancy
• Past Board Member, Chester River Association
• Lifetime Member, Ducks Unlimited

Through these roles, Thad has worked alongside educators, environmental advocates, business leaders, nonprofit organizations, and community members—relationships that have given him a broad perspective on both the challenges Kent County faces and the opportunities within reach.

When he’s not working or volunteering, Thad enjoys boating, upland bird and waterfowl hunting, cycling, and reading.

For Thad, running for County Commissioner is a natural extension of a life spent building businesses, supporting local institutions, and investing in the community his family calls home.

Now, he’s ready to put that experience to work for Kent County.