Our Town: Chuck Bennett
Giving for a
better Novato
By Dan
Stebbins/Executive Editor
Novato
Advance • November 19, 2003 - November 25, 2003
THOMAS K. SORENSEN/ADVANCE
Chuck Bennett regularly opens his checkbook for Marin causes.
If there was ever a familiar figure around Novato, it’s Chuck Bennett, the mild-mannered head of the Novato Chamber of Commerce and an owner of California Land Title of Marin.
His bearded face is one of the most recognizable in Marin business and charity circles. He has Novato ties dating back to 1950 when his father was stationed at Hamilton Air Base. He was a member of the second class to graduate from Novato High School, in 1960.
Bennett, 61, is married to Patty, branch manager of his company’s Novato office. He is a family man, a businessman and an outdoorsman.
He fishes and hunts far and near—going for sail fish in Costa Rica and birds in
Argentina. His 10-year-old Britainy Spaniel, Coco, is his hunting companion for
California trips. He began hunting deer as a youth with his father in Pacheco
Valley.
Bennett’s trademark full beard is a legacy of his early hunting days. Twenty-eight years ago he returned from a hunting trip too sick to return to work. Normally clean shaven, Bennett slacked off during a three-week recuperation. ”I haven’t shaved since,” he said.
There have been a lot of changes, but Bennett says wildlife is still nearby his west Novato home. “I had a buck standing in my yard eating my rose bushes last week,” he said.
Bennett is an avid follower of local high school sports and financial booster. His daughter Cathryn,15, participates in sports as a sophomore at San Marin High School.
Bennett’s company is not shy in backing candidates during election times. “I back candidates who are open, fair and balanced in their thinking and willing to consider different aspects of an issue,” he said. In the current Novato City Council campaign, California Land Title shows up prominently in several Candidate’s campaign disclosure forms. As for Bennett’s political leanings? “I am a centerist,” he said. Despite some encouragement, he said, “I have not ever run for public office and I have no intention to do so.”
He prefers to extend his influence in other ways. He is the incoming president of the California Land Title Association, trade group for the title industry working to affect decisions in Sacramento.
Bennett served as president of a Marin Kiwanis club and is an advocate for affordable housing in Marin County. This fall he joined the advisory board of the newly formed Novato Foundation for Education, which was organized to financially assist Novato public schools. “Schools are such an important part of our community, people need to get out and support them” he said.
He is an avid gardener and ventures into the kitchen to cook up the vegetables he grows.
Some of Bennet’s associates refer to him good naturedly as “Checkbook Chuck.” He remains behind the scenes with his checkbook open any worthy cause.
“The nickname doesn’t bother me,” Bennett said. “It’s fortunate we enjoy a situation where we can afford to give back to the community.”