Always colorful but not necessarily inside the lines.

With all due respect to different drummers, let’s give ‘em a rest and just say Ben is content to fly slightly out of formation.

Ben VanHeest is a largely self-taught applications developer for Maestro eLearning. He sees the programming function as an unending series of logic puzzles. “And I like puzzles.” Although he started out in graphic design, Ben decided along the way that he was a better programmer than designer and enjoyed it more. Lucky for us.

Although Ben was born in New Jersey and spent a handful of years there, he has lived most of his life in the local area. For Ben, a sense of anticipation adds to and enriches the comfortable, carefree environment that is Maestro. In fact, the word is a pretty good summary of Ben’s take on life: “I don’t seek adventure, but it has a way of finding me.”

Bolts from Ben

• Been to Iceland
• As a child, starred in own backyard cooking show
• Won the St. Ignace Apple Days Coloring Contest

One of Ben’s favorite songs: "Maybe" by the Inkspots