Darren Landis has been an incredible asset to the Bench Mark team since joining us as a mentor in 2017 and then as a staff member in 2018. His career started in law enforcement but he was looking for a path to create more relationships in his community that law enforcement didn't always allow. Bench Mark allowed Darren to build relationships with young people in Lancaster and use his background and resources to mentor our students toward a successful future.
Name: Darren Landis
Title/Description: Director of Growth
Years at Bench Mark Program: One year as a volunteer mentor and 1.5 years as staff
What has been your favorite thing about being a part of Bench Mark Program (gym, outings, tutoring etc.)?
What energizes me the most about being a part of the Bench Mark Program team is knowing that every ounce of effort we put forth is aimed at making our community a healthier place to be.
What do you hope the students can learn from you and your experiences?
How to better navigate the institutions and people within our society in order to become leaders on their own path.
Why do you think Bench Mark is so important to the Lancaster community?
BMP is important to the community of Lancaster because we provide space for our youth to feel safe and build the confidence needed to grow into valuable leaders within their own lives.
Other than Bench Mark, what is something you're passionate about?
I am passionate about reading and any activity that can be done outdoors. The perfect day for me consists of walking in the woods followed by reading a book next to a campfire.
What is your favorite sports team? Any favorite rituals on game day?
Concerning collegiate sports, I am a Penn State fan. I follow both their football and wrestling teams. In professional sports I am Philadelphia Eagles phan.
If you were a superhero, what would you want your superpower to be and why?
My superpower would be to suddenly become a super chef and make delicious meals out of ANYTHING.
If someone was making a movie about your life what actor / actress would you choose to play you? Sam Elliott
If you had to choose just one decade to listen to music from for the rest of your life what would it be? 90’s music
What is one goal you would like to accomplish in your lifetime?
How to narrow the list to only one. . . A bucket list item is to travel El Camino de Santiago in Spain.