Placer County Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery recently presented a Commendation from the Board of Supervisors to a Kings Beach resident who has risen from his local roots to a stellar career in the U.S. Navy.
Benjamin Heineike grew up in Kings Beach and is a local graduate from North Tahoe High School. He has enjoyed great success academically and professionally when he was appointed to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He graduated at the top of his class in 2002 with a Bachelors of Science degree, with Honors, in Mathematics and a minor in French.
He attended both Cambridge and Oxford Universities, the latter of which was with a Marshall Scholarship, one of 40 given nationwide that year. He served as an active duty Commissioned Officer in the United States Navy from 2002-2010 and currently serves as Liaison Officer in the United States Navy Reserve affiliated with the Office of Navy Research Science and Technology
“He’s done all these incredible things and traveled throughout the world,” said Supervisor Jennifer Montgomery, who represents Kings Beach. “Yet his commitment to his community, to Kings Beach, remains so strong and his commitment to education and young people and after school education programs like the Boys and Girls Club.”
Recognizing his aptitude for education, Heineike served as a mathematics instructor at the Academy, designed and taught the first mathematical biology course at the Academy, and served as an mathematics department advisor at the National Military Academy of Afghanistan.
Additionally, during his active duty military service, Heineike served as an Officer and Department Head on a guided missile destroyer, was an Operations Officer on a ship’s maiden voyage, and on the same ship served as a Training Officer. He also served on a mine countermeasures ship as a Damage Control Assistant.
Heineike has also studied advanced French in Paris, France and Arabic in Morocco. Heineike’s Parents, Marilyn and Ben, still live in the Tahoe Basin. His brother Daniel also attended the Naval Academy.