“The benefits of private rail investments are very real for the average Minnesotan, who, according to a recent study, gains about $2,000 extra in their salary because of freight rail. Freight railroads support a quarter million jobs in our state, nearly 7 percent of Minnesota’s employment.”
Bentley Graves is the Director of Health Care and Transportation Policy at the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. He joined the Chamber in October 2013. A native Iowan, Graves made his way to Minnesota and the Chamber by way of Washington, DC, working on Capitol Hill for Iowa Congressman Steve King. He began his time with Rep. King as an intern and throughout his tenure moved on to hold a number of positions in the Congressman’s office, including Legislative Assistant, Legislative Director, and Chief of Staff. Graves’ policy experience includes work on small business concerns, health care, transportation, taxes, education, foreign affairs, defense, and federal appropriations.
Graves graduated cum laude in 2005 from Hillsdale College in Michigan with a degree in political economy. He lives in Excelsior with his wife, who is a native Minnesotan, and their three young children.