About Ben:

Mayor Ben Kessler is a third-generation Bexley resident and is currently serving his third term in the office of Mayor through the end of 2023. With a prior professional background in commercial real estate and finance, Mayor Ben has emphasized sound planning and holistic redevelopment with a focus on neighborhood-scale planning and environmental sustainability.

In addition to his role as Mayor and chief executive of the City of Bexley, Mayor Ben is a past chair of and serves on the executive board of the Central Ohio Mayor's and City Managers Association; is an executive board member with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, where he chairs the Sustainability Advisory Committee; is the Chair of the Central Ohio Energy Efficient Special Improvement District; and serves on the board as Strategic Committee co-chair of the Ohio Environmental Council.

Mayor Kessler's community initiatives have included creating and chairing the Bexley Land Use Strategy Commission; forming the Bexley Community Improvement Corporation; redeveloping the former City Hall and Service Garage site on Main Street; installing traffic-calming medians and enhanced streetscape on Main Street and Broad Street; crafting comprehensive distracted driving and pedestrian crosswalk laws for Bexley; launching Ohio's first comprehensive curbside food waste recycling service; authoring Ohio's first comprehensive single-use plastics ordinance; spurring the creation of the Bexley Main Event and Jazz in the Park series and the Jeffrey Woods Festival; and overseeing Bexley's first park and greenspace expansion effort in decades with the expansion of Schneider Park and the creation of the Schneider Park athletic fields, playground, community gardens, and creekside trail.

Inbetween his full time job of organizing litter pickup events and helping plan future infrastructure projects, Mayor Ben loves to tackle overly ambitious home improvement projects; go hiking with his family; cook anything and everything, and rock out on the keys with the Bexley-based Big Rockin' Blues Band.

My promise to you:

I will work hard for you.

I will innovate.

I will set a goal and see it through.

We may not always see eye to eye, but I will always listen - truly listen - and I will always tell you where I am coming from and be open to new perspectives.

I will put this community at the forefront, over myself, and over my own ambitions.

I will always strive to create a Bexley that is a more perfect version of itself.

I will prioritize good communication.

I will prioritize strategic thinking.

I will emphasize sound fiscal policy.

I will not settle for the status quo.

I will take your phone call.

I will work for you - tirelessly,  and with boundless enthusiasm.