Skip grew up in rural upstate New York and later attended Berklee College of Music in Boston on trombone and music composition. Post-graduation, Mr. Benton lived and performed in Portland, Oregon and later Las Vegas.

In 1989, Mr. Benton moved to Reno where he started an insurance agency. After five years, he sold the agency and became a licensed Real Estate agent selling over 100 homes each year and managing a small staff. Currently Mr. Benton is an agent with Coldwell Banker Select Real Estate. Mr. Benton also volunteers regularly for the Reno Phil and the Reno Chamber Orchestra in addition to being a financial supporter.