CRAIG BENSON was born in New York City. He received a bachelor’s degree in finance from Babson College in 1977 and a master’s in business administration from Syracuse University in 1979. Benson started Cabletron Systems in 1983, serving as chair, COO, CEO, president, and director of operations from 1983 to 1999.

By 1991 the company was rated the number one performance stock by the New York Stock Exchange, and Benson was named National Entrepreneur of the Year by Inc. magazine. Benson served as adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at Babson College in 2000. He was elected governor of New Hampshire in November 2002.