Delta Tau Delta - Oklahoma State University

DELTA CHI NEWS PAGE 2 W hen Bob Benjamin '79 went through summer rush (now recruitment) before college, the Delt brothers he met quickly sold him on the fraternity. Delta Tau Delta gave Bob and his brothers friendship, structure, and experience working with others toward a shared goal. It even helped him meet his future wife, who lived across the street in the Alpha Delta Pi house. Bob served as co-recruitment chairman as an upperclassman, in which he, too, worked on "selling" Delt to potential new members. "I don't consider myself a salesman—never have—but that position was an eye-opener," he said. THE ART OF MARKETING At age 24, Bob joined his brother-in- law (who had a background in sports art) as partners in a new business they called Cups Illustrated. The aptly named company designed and manufactured plastic souvenir cups for commercial clients. The pair envisioned selling their products in concession stands for major sporting events (and they eventually would), but as they launched the company, they quickly pivoted to the new major markets: convenience stores and fast food brands. Cups Illustrated's biggest promotions included a 44-ounce 7-Eleven cup for the World Wrestling Foundation (in the days of Roddy Piper and Randy Savage), and a McDonald's promotion for the 1992 basketball Dream Team with cups featuring the likenesses of Larry Bird and Patrick Ewing, among other players. One of Cups Illustrated's last major promotions was with McDonald's "Mac Tonight" business campaign; the business sold soon after in 1998. Looking back, Bob notes that they got into the market at exactly the right time, and they exited right as the biggest industry players moved on. "We had some pretty incredible luck in the way we entered and exited that business." AS SEEN ON TV In 2001, Bob reunited with a colleague from Cups Illustrated to buy FasPac Packaging. Bob became president of the contract-selling business, which ran machines to fill liquids, lotions, and powders into special containers. FasPac worked with customers in many industries, from cosmetics and industrial chemicals to food products. The company's biggest-selling product was Jeunesse brand resveratrol in bottle-shaped packets. The majority of the product was exported to China, and FasPac purchased 21 machines just to keep up demand with that single product. Bob sold the company to his biggest customer in 2018 and retired. This, too, proved to be a fortunate exit point given the pandemic's negative impact on the business. FOREVER A DELT Today, Bob is proud to have shared some of his luck and success with the recent Pledge Delt Again campaign. "We needed a new structure for years, and I was happy I could contribute to that. I hope that it helps the chapter move forward." His only regret as a Delt? Moving out of the Shelter too early as an undergraduate. "I think I missed a lot of good times by moving out early; I would never recommend anyone else do that." President Chester Helmberger '24 chelmbe@okstate.edu Internal Vice President Drew Stanislaus '26 External Vice President Carson Allen '25 Secretary Connor Drew '24 Sergeant-at-Arms Zac Hughes '25 New Member Educator Aden Struble '24 Recruitment Chairmen Nate Harris '25 natet923@gmail.com Connor Quigley '24 connor.quigley@okstate.edu Risk Chairman Chase Couch '26 FAAR Chairman Mason Morrison '26 Guide Garret Wiswall '25 Treasurer Jace Garner '25 Homecoming Director Gabe Tew '25 THE TOOLS TO SUCCEED Bob Benjamin '79 Shares His Unique Career CHAPTER OFFICERS Bob and his wife live in DeSoto, Texas, and they enjoy returning for OSU basketball games and Delt golf tournaments when possible. You can reach Bob at bob@benjamin57.com. CHAPTER GOALS Create a culture within the house that promotes excellence as the standard. Win a Hugh Shields Award. Have 100% of our chapter involved in on-campus organizations.

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