Combining a passion for design and public service, Jones & Henry’s Director of CAD navigates a career in engineering, holding political office, and raising a family.
While a student at Lake High School in Millbury, Ohio, Ben Drill aspired to join the United States Air Force and become an astronaut. So Ben, who admits to being a bit brash in his youth, met with a local recruiter. When the recruiter explained that it would take four to five years of training before he could pilot a plane alone, young Ben replied that the Air Force should be able to train people more quickly.
And, just like that, Ben needed an alternative career plan.
Ben has always had a passion for drawing. Following his interests, he took four years of manual drafting classes at Lake High School and studied computer-aided design (CAD) at Owens Community College. Weeks after starting at Jones & Henry Engineers in 2000, he earned an Associate’s Degree in Architectural Construction. As the company’s Director of CAD, Ben works with AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and Revit software applications to draw and model structures.
“I enjoy working with everyone at Jones & Henry,” says Ben. “Despite our size and multiple locations, there is a small company feeling and a sense of closeness.”
Other Passions
Ben resides in Elmore, Ohio, where he and his wife are raising four sons, aged eleven to twenty—all still at home. His wife contributes to the community by driving a school bus and assisting in the school kitchen. Although his busy family life limits his spare time, Ben enjoys jet-skiing. He also shares a passion for maintaining cars, inspired by his father, and plans to build a new garage, much like the projects his dad often took on around the house.
A pivotal moment in Ben’s life came in 2001, shortly after the 9/11 attacks, when he began to develop an interest in politics. Encouraged by friends and neighbors, he decided to run for office. He served on the Village of Elmore’s Board of Public Affairs and is currently in his second term as an elected member of the Elmore City Council.
“The Council is nonpartisan, which I think is great,” explains Ben. “Rather than worrying about politics, I can focus on using my professional background to help with infrastructure planning.”
Reflections
When asked how his Jones & Henry coworkers might describe him, Ben humbly suggests, “Quiet and old school.” He values a structured, detail-oriented approach to his work and enjoys providing outlined steps for others to follow.
As for anyone interested in a computer-aided design career, Ben suggests learning as much as possible. He encourages aspiring designers to study manual drafting—even if it is not part of the required curriculum—for the fundamental understanding it provides. And as he often tells his sons, “Whatever career you choose, do it the best you can.”
”Whatever career you choose, do it the best you can.
Ben DrillDirector of CAD
We design successful projects.
Computer-aided design allows us to meet the most complex infrastructure challenges.
