About Ben Loyola
“Not too long ago, two friends of mine were talking to a Cuban refugee, a businessman who had escaped from Castro, and in the midst of his story one of my friends turned to the other and said, ‘How lucky you are? I had someplace to escape to.’ And in that sentence he told us the entire story. If we lose freedom here, there's no place to escape to. This is the last stand on earth.” –President Ronald Reagan
A 25-year resident of Virginia Beach, Navy veteran, successful businessman, Conservative Republican, and Patriot, Ben Loyola is a living reminder of the American Dream.
Humble Beginnings
An officer in the Cuban navy before Fidel Castro seized power, Ben’s father, Ben Loyola Sr., saw the Communist takeover’s true intentions and mutinied against it.
For his efforts, he was sentenced to death but managed to escape to that “shining city on a hill”, the United States of America.
Soon after, two-year old Ben Loyola Jr. and his mother fled the Communist dictatorship and joined his father in the United States;
bringing with them nothing but a single piece of luggage and the hope that America would lead to a better life.
Ben’s humble beginnings provided him with the drive and work ethic needed to become the self-made man he is today.
Learn more about Ben’s Humble Beginnings.
Military Service
Ben’s parents instilled within him an intense love of country.
Always grateful for the opportunities America had afforded him, Ben decided to serve his country in the Navy,
attending the U.S. Naval Academy and eventually achieving the rank of Captain.
Learn more about Ben’s Military Record.
Entrepreneur
In 1991, Ben founded Loyola Enterprises Inc., an engineering service contracting firm, starting operations out of a spare room in his house.
Today, Loyola Enterprises Inc. has scores of employees working in offices in Virginia Beach, Hampton, and Richmond.
Learn more about Ben’s record of success in Small Business.
Community Involvement
Ben is very active in the local community, having volunteered for the Special Olympics Committee,
tutoring students for the Virginia Beach Public Schools in both math and science, serving as chairman for the Back Bay Amateur Astronomers Scholarship Committee,
as well as volunteering and financially supporting such organizations as
the Plaza Volunteer Rescue Squad, Boy Scouts of America, Make A Wish Foundation, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Virginia Ballet, and the Fraternal Order of Police.
A True Conservative and Loyal Grassroots Republican
Placing the original intent of the Constitution in highest regard, Ben is a Pro-Life, Pro-Family, Pro-2nd Amendment, Fiscal Conservative.
He’s a member of the Republican Professionals Network of Hampton Roads and is a life member of the National Rifle Association.
He serves as a Vice-Chair of the Republican Party of Virginia Beach and has worked the polls for various Republican candidates over the years. Learn more about Ben’s Political Philosophy.
Faith and Family
Ben is married to Gretchen Loyola. Gretchen is an accomplished musician who played violin in the Virginia Symphony Orchestra before
going back to school at Eastern Virginia Medical School where she trained in the Physician Assistant program.
She now works with Cardiovascular Specialists at Maryview Hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia.
For Ben and Gretchen, Saturday nights are “God and Country” nights. They go to church at Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Virginia Beach and afterwards go shooting at the local gun range. Ben and Gretchen share a deep faith and love of the Constitution.
