Community Service

Current Service: 

Bakersfield City Councilmember, Ward 2
Elected November 2000; re-elected November 2004 and 2008

City Council Committees:
Legislative and Litigation Committee, Chair

Safe Neighborhoods and Community Committee

Community Services Committee

City Council Liaison to:
Downtown Business Association

Past Service:

Planning and Development Committee

Bakersfield High School PTSA, Board Member, 1996-2008

Bakersfield High School Site Council

Bakersfield Homeless Center, Board of Directors
Boys & Girls Club, Board of Directors
Franklin School Site Council
Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance, Chair - Board of Directors

Kern County Women Lawyers' Association, Founding Member

Westchester Neighborhood Association, Founding Member

California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley:
Board Member, appointed by Gov. Schwarzennegger in September 2005. Sue served as one of eight local government officials nominated to the 26-member panel to advise the Governor on changes to improve the economic well being of the Valley and the quality of life for its residents.

Professional  Background:

Sue is the Chief Development Officer at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital.  She oversees fundraising and philanthropy efforts for the hospital, as well as serving in an public advocacy role at the state and federal levels.  Previously, she served as the Executive Director for the Golden Empire Gleaners and was an attorney with the Kern County Public Defender's Office.

Education
UCLA School of Law - Juris Doctor Degree, 1979
University of Pennsylvania - Bachelor of Arts Degree,
1975 Magna Cum Laude

Professional Affiliations
State Bar of California
Kern County Bar Association
Kern County Women Lawyers Association

Personal
Sue has been married to Herb Benham for 30 years. They have four children. She enjoys bicycling on the bike path, hiking, reading, cooking, music, movies, and travel.