SMETHPORT (EC) — Brock Benson, who currently serves as superintendent of the Kane Area School District, on Monday was named executive director of the Seneca Highlands Intermediate Unit 9 Educational Services.

Like all intermediate unit executives in the state, this appointment carries a four-year contract; and Benson begins his new duties in mid-August, succeeding Don Wismar who plans to retire Sept. 3.

Benson is a native of Shinglehouse and is a 1994 graduate of Oswayo Valley High School. After receiving a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York, College at Buffalo, he also earned a Master of Education degree from Duquense University and a Superintendent’s Letter of Eligibility from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.

His teaching experience includes technical education at Oswayo Valley. As an administrator, Benson served ten years as high school principal in the Johnsonburg Area School District and four years as middle school assistant principal in the Bradford Area School District. He has been superintendent of the Kane Area School District for two years. Benson resides in Bradford with his wife and four children.