FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 9, 2008

Mike and Leah Benjamin make major donation to DRI
Gift will help fill vacant Public Information Officer position

LAS VEGAS – Mike and Leah Benjamin have given $100,000 to DRI that will be used to help fund the critical position of Public Information Officer over the next two years.

“Mike and Leah’s very generous gift highlights more than two decades of their support to DRI,” Stephen Wells, DRI President, said.

In the 1980s, Mike Benjamin’s firm, the Creative Group, worked to develop a marketing strategy and branding effort for DRI. Today he is the chairman of the DRI Research Foundation.

“Mike is a successful businessman with a deep understanding of how important this position is for DRI,” Wells said. “We’re very grateful to Mike for this generous gift and also for his leadership and commitment to the institute.”

Benjamin, of Las Vegas, is the CEO and President of Benjamin Enterprises, a consortium of companies involved in gaming, land development, retail investing and marketing consulting.

“DRI does important environmental research around the world and if DRI doesn't have the ability to tell its story, then how can the world know of the tremendous positive impact we are having on the environment. This is why funding this position is so important to the success of the institute’s mission,” Benjamin said. “DRI not filling this position for more than a year speaks volumes as to how lean the institute is. My father taught me to lead by example. My hope is others will continue to follow and support this world class applied research institute. It's an international scientific jewel based right here in Nevada." 

DRI is currently conducting a search to fill the PIO position that will be based on its Las Vegas campus.

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Note to Reporters and Editors: DRI, the nonprofit research campus of the Nevada System of Higher Education, strives to be the world leader in environmental sciences through the application of knowledge and technologies to improve peoples lives throughout Nevada and the world.