Vicki’s roots run deep in northeast Missouri. She was born and raised just south of Kirksville on a farm outside of LaPlata. Vicki and her attorney husband, Jay, have owned and managed the farm for years. For Vicki, it will always be “home.”

She came to Kirksville to attend Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University) before going to work for local real estate broker and developer Ken Read, where she spent 23 years investing in her real estate career and in properties in the community. In 2011, Vicki opened her own real estate agency under the RE/MAX Brand, operating as Broker/Owner of the RE/MAX HOME TEAM. Her long-standing record of success is no accident. She has been instrumental in a vast number of home, farm, and commercial transactions, making her consistently one of the region’s top producers. 

It's a phenomenal work ethic and sheer tenacity that drive Vicki in her personal and professional lives. She goes above and beyond for her family, her clients, and her community. Not only does she understand the value of good old-fashioned hard work, but she also understands the dynamics of investing in real estate throughout Missouri. She and Jay have invested in their homes on the farm, in Kirksville, the Lake of the Ozarks and, in the paths of their children, in Columbia and Kansas City. Vicki understands firsthand that building, buying, and selling isn’t just about homes, farms, and businesses. It’s about building the lives of the people involved. 

Vicki is a member of the Kirksville Chamber of Commerce where she has served as an Ambassador. She is a past member of K-REDI, Inc., a local organization promoting economic development and industry in the community. She’s a member of Mary Immaculate Catholic Church in Kirksville and has served on the Parish Council. Her children attended elementary school at the parish school. She is a co-founder of Mary Immaculate Catholic Education Foundation, Inc., and serves on its Board of Directors. Several years ago, Vicki served on the Missouri Citizens’ Commission on Compensation for Elected Officials at the request of then-Governor Jay Nixon. It was a position that took her around the state. 

Vicki is always willing to serve in less public ways as well. Because she understands how important this community has been to her own family, Vicki invests in area youth. The HOME TEAM brand is no accident. Vicki supports teams and youth initiatives from little leagues to high schools to Truman State University. The Bensons spend time in Columbia, Kansas City, and St. Louis as fans of the Mizzou Tigers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Cardinals baseball. 

Vicki and Jay are the proud parents of son, Quinn, and daughter, Lara. Quinn graduated from University of Missouri – Columbia in 2017 and from the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Law in 2020. After clerking for the Missouri Court of Appeals – Western District, he joined his Dad at The Benson Law Firm in Kirksville in 2022. Quinn splits his time between Kirksville and Kansas City. 

Daughter Lara graduated from the University of Missouri – Columbia in 2018 and from the University of Missouri – Columbia School of Law in 2022. She married a Kirksville native, Carter Brooks Templeton, a graduate of Truman State University and University of Missouri – Columbia School of Law. They live and practice in the Washington D.C. area, although her husband’s job with the Mizzou Law Veteran’s Clinic in Columbia brings them back to the state often. 

For local home, farm, and commercial clients buying and selling real estate in Kirksville and surrounding communities, Vicki’s lifelong knowledge of the area is key to her ability to make things happen. For clients outside of northeast Missouri looking for property here, her knowledge of real estate throughout Missouri makes her unique. Above all, Vicki is committed to helping people build the future they want to live.