Ben DeNucci, a fourth generation Iron Ranger, is a small business owner and serves as an Itasca County Commissioner. He is the former Mayor of his home town of Nashwauk and former president of the Nashwauk Police Commission. Ben earned a Bachelor of Science degree from North Dakota State University in Facilities Management with a Minor in Business. Prior to owning his own businesses, he worked in facilities management for 15 years spending 9 years in hospital facilities management.

Ben serves on the Board of Directors for KOOTASCA Community Action, 1,000 Lakes United Way, Nashwauk Area Community Fund, Nashwauk Library, Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency, Itasca Citizens Action Panel, Northeast Minnesota HOME Consortium, Regional Solid Waste Task Force, Laurentian RCD, Grand Village Nursing Home, and Arrowhead Procare. He is a member of the Itasca Area Community Education Regional Advisory Council, Itasca County Health and Human Services Advisory Board, Northern Counties Land Use Board, Association of Minnesota Counties, Range Riders ATV Club, Steelworkers Organization of Active Retirees, Nashwauk Volunteer Fire Relief (charitable gambling manager), Nashwauk Fire Rescue (volunteer fire fighter), and EMS (first responder). Ben is a proud 2017-2018 University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs Policy Fellow.