Ben Begleiter is Deputy Director of Research for UNITE HERE. Ben joined UNITE HERE’s predecessor union in 1997, and was a rank-and-file organizer and volunteer researcher before coming on staff in 2004. Since 2004, Ben has been part of the UNITE HERE Research Department and while spending time working in all of the core industries, he has primarily been focused on the casino industry. Since 2019, Ben has worked on the UNITE HERE Technology Initiative, a new program launched by the union's leadership in 2018. Since 2019, Ben has helped to build this initiative and has overseen ongoing research and analysis around emergent technologies in gaming, hotels and food service. Ben assists with internal coordination of technology bargaining, in collaboration with International Union officers and staff as well as UNITE HERE locals. In this role, Ben manages the processes of negotiating about new technology with UNITE HERE's major employers including MGM, Caesars, Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt and major private and public service food service contractors.