Ben Navarro is an American billionaire businessman, investor, philanthropist and sports owner best known as the founder and chief executive officer of Sherman Financial Group. He built his fortune through financial services, consumer credit and debt management and later expanded his interests into hospitality, real estate, education, wellness and professional sports.
Navarro is also widely known because of his daughter, Emma Navarro, one of America’s leading professional tennis players. His connection to tennis, however, extends far beyond his daughter’s career. Through his family office, Beemok, Navarro owns the Credit One Charleston Open and the Cincinnati Open, two of the most prominent professional tennis tournaments in the United States. Beemok has also invested hundreds of millions of dollars into tennis facilities and tournament infrastructure.
Beyond business, Navarro has developed a substantial philanthropic profile in South Carolina. He and his wife, Kelly, founded Meeting Street Schools to expand educational opportunities for underserved students and later created scholarship and teacher-support programs. He has also become an influential figure in Charleston’s development through hospitality, community spaces, education and wellness initiatives.
Ben Navarro Profile Summary
| Fact | Details |
| Full Name | Benjamin W. Navarro |
| Known As | Ben Navarro |
| Born | 1962 or 1963 |
| Age | 63 years old in 2026 |
| Birthplace | Williamstown, Massachusetts, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Businessman, investor, philanthropist and sports owner |
| Education | University of Rhode Island |
| Degree | Bachelor of Science in Finance |
| Graduation | 1984 |
| Father | Frank Navarro |
| Wife | Kelly Navarro |
| Children | Four |
| Daughter | Emma Navarro |
| Company | Sherman Financial Group |
| Role | Founder and CEO |
| Family Office | Beemok |
| Major Asset | Significant minority stake in Credit One Bank |
| Sports Interests | Tennis, professional sports ownership |
| Tennis Tournaments | Credit One Charleston Open and Cincinnati Open |
| Residence | Charleston, South Carolina |
| Religion | Not publicly established |
| Net Worth | Approximately $3.2 billion as of September 2026 |
| Source of Wealth | Investments, financial services and consumer credit |
| Current Status | Active businessman, investor and philanthropist |
Ben Navarro Early Life
Ben Navarro was born in 1962 or 1963 in Williamstown, Massachusetts. He grew up in a large family as one of eight children of Frank Navarro, a prominent American college football coach. His father coached at several universities, including Williams College, Columbia University, Wabash College and Princeton University.
Growing up in a family connected to competitive sports gave Navarro an early exposure to discipline, competition and leadership. His father was particularly influential in shaping the family’s attitude toward education and athletics. Ben later carried many of those principles into his own approach to business, philanthropy and parenting.
Although Navarro would eventually become strongly associated with Charleston, South Carolina, he did not begin his professional life there. His early career took him to Wall Street, where he developed the financial expertise that eventually allowed him to build Sherman Financial Group into a major financial services enterprise.
Ben Navarro Education
Ben Navarro attended the University of Rhode Island, where he studied finance. He graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. His university education gave him the foundation for a career in financial markets and investment.
After university, Navarro moved into the financial industry and began building experience in some of America’s major financial institutions. He first worked at Goldman Sachs, where he was involved in mortgage trading.
He later joined Citicorp, where he became Co-Head of Mortgage Sales and Trading. The experience exposed Navarro to large-scale financial markets and consumer finance and provided the professional background that would eventually lead to the creation of his own company.
Ben Navarro Career
Early Wall Street Career
Ben Navarro began his professional career on Wall Street after graduating from the University of Rhode Island.
He initially worked at Goldman Sachs in mortgage trading. He subsequently joined Citicorp, where he became Co-Head of Mortgage Sales and Trading. These positions placed him in an environment involving complex financial instruments, credit markets, lending and institutional investment.
Navarro eventually left the traditional Wall Street career path to establish his own financial company. That decision became the foundation of the fortune he would later build.
Founding Sherman Financial Group
Navarro founded Sherman Financial Group in the late 1990s. Beemok’s official biography identifies 1997 as the founding year, while some other sources cite 1998. The company was built around investments and financial services, including the purchase and management of consumer debt.
Sherman eventually became one of the major players in the consumer credit and debt-management industry. The company acquired portfolios of consumer debt and developed businesses around managing and servicing those accounts.
Navarro remained involved as the company’s CEO while expanding his personal investment interests into other sectors.
Credit One Bank
One of the most important parts of Navarro’s business empire is his connection to Credit One Bank.
Sherman Financial Group acquired Credit One Bank in 2005. According to Beemok, the bank had approximately 200,000 credit cards outstanding when it was acquired. Over the following years, it grew dramatically. By 2026, Credit One had more than 19 million active cards outstanding.
Credit One primarily serves consumers across the credit spectrum, with a particular focus on people who may have limited or damaged credit histories. The bank offers credit cards and related financial products designed to allow customers to build or rebuild credit.
Navarro’s ownership position in Credit One became a major component of his wealth. Forbes identifies investments as his primary source of wealth and says he owns a significant minority stake in the bank.
Beemok
In 2018, Ben and Kelly Navarro established Beemok as a family office to manage their investment and philanthropic activities.
The organization has since developed into a broad collection of businesses and community initiatives. Its interests include sports and entertainment, hospitality, education, health and wellness, real estate and financial services.
Beemok’s stated philosophy focuses on creating opportunities and bringing people together through shared experiences. The company describes its mission as building a long-term legacy around community development and human opportunity.
The name Beemok has consequently become closely associated with Navarro’s second phase of business development, moving beyond financial services into physical spaces, hospitality and sports.
Hospitality and Real Estate
Navarro has invested heavily in Charleston real estate and hospitality.
Beemok Hospitality Collection was launched in 2021 and developed a portfolio that includes major Charleston properties. Its flagship holdings include The Charleston Place hotel, The Cooper Hotel, Sorelle restaurant and other hospitality and entertainment assets.
Forbes reported that Navarro had spent more than $350 million acquiring property around Charleston since 2021. His investments have included major properties and community spaces, reinforcing his influence over the city’s commercial and hospitality landscape.
His investment in Charleston reflects more than a conventional real estate strategy. Navarro has repeatedly described his goal as creating spaces where people can meet, interact and develop stronger connections.
Tennis Business
Tennis has become one of the most visible parts of Ben Navarro’s business empire.
Through Beemok Sports & Entertainment, he owns the Credit One Charleston Open, a WTA 500 tournament played in Charleston. His organization also owns and operates the Cincinnati Open, one of the most important combined men’s and women’s tennis tournaments in North America.
Navarro’s involvement in the Charleston tournament is particularly significant because his daughter Emma grew up watching the event before eventually competing in it herself.
The family originally experienced the tournament as spectators. Emma later became one of the players on its courts, creating an unusual transition from family connection to professional tennis ownership.
Cincinnati Open
In 2022, Beemok acquired the Western & Southern Open, now known as the Cincinnati Open.
The tournament has a long history dating back to the 19th century and is one of the most important events on the professional tennis calendar outside the four Grand Slam tournaments.
Beemok subsequently committed major resources to keeping the tournament in the Cincinnati area and upgrading its facilities. In 2023, the organization announced a 25-year commitment to keeping the tournament at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio.
Beemok has also led a reported $260 million renovation project associated with the Cincinnati tournament.
LTP Tennis and Athlete Development
Navarro’s interest in tennis extends beyond owning professional tournaments.
He founded LTP Academy in 2016 with the goal of helping young tennis players prepare for collegiate competition and professional opportunities. Beemok says LTP Scholars combines athletic development with academic preparation and has achieved a 100 percent college placement rate for its tennis players.
This reflects one of Navarro’s broader philosophies about sports. He has repeatedly described youth sports as an environment where children can learn discipline, perseverance, teamwork and how to handle failure.
Those values have also influenced how he raised his own children.
Carolina Panthers Ownership Bid
In 2018, Ben Navarro became nationally known outside financial circles when he attempted to purchase the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League.
Navarro was among the leading bidders for the team after longtime owner Jerry Richardson put the franchise up for sale. He visited Bank of America Stadium during the bidding process and explored putting together an ownership group.
At one point, former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning was reportedly considering joining Navarro’s proposed ownership group.
Navarro ultimately lost the bidding process to David Tepper, who became the Panthers’ owner. Navarro later issued a statement thanking those who supported his bid and saying that he would have considered it a privilege to become steward of the franchise.
Although he did not acquire an NFL team, the attempt demonstrated that Navarro’s ambitions extended beyond financial services and into major American sports ownership.
Education and Philanthropy
Education is one of the most important parts of Ben Navarro’s philanthropic work.
In 2008, he and Kelly founded Meeting Street Schools. The initiative was created around the belief that children from underserved communities should have access to high-quality education regardless of their socioeconomic circumstances.
The network has grown to serve more than 1,500 students in South Carolina. Beemok says its educational initiatives now include both public and independent schools, scholarship programs and teacher incentive programs.
In 2020, the Navarros also launched the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund. The program was created to help students with financial need pay for college. Beemok says the initiative has expanded beyond its original Charleston focus and has attracted substantial additional philanthropic commitments.
Navarro has also supported teacher education. In 2021, he donated $1.25 million to the College of Charleston’s teacher education programs.
International African American Museum
Navarro has also contributed to cultural and historical projects in South Carolina.
In 2018, Ben Navarro and Sherman Financial Group pledged $250,000 to the International African American Museum in Charleston. The museum focuses on African American history and the role Charleston and the broader region played in the history of the African diaspora.
The donation formed part of Navarro’s broader pattern of supporting educational and cultural institutions in Charleston.
Health and Wellness
Navarro’s philanthropic interests have expanded into health and mental wellness.
Through Beemok, he and Kelly supported the creation of Modern Minds in partnership with the Medical University of South Carolina. The initiative focuses on mental wellness and combines physical and psychological approaches to improving quality of life.
Navarro also teaches a course at the College of Charleston called “Intentionality.” The course is built around personal development, habits, relationships, purpose and overcoming limiting beliefs.
His work eventually contributed to the creation of a Center for Intentionality and a student-led Intentionality Club at the college.
Catalyst by Beemok
Navarro’s more recent community work has included support for entrepreneurs.
Beemok launched Catalyst, a startup competition designed to identify promising businesses in the Charleston area and provide investment, mentorship and exposure.
The program has offered up to $1 million for local companies and includes opportunities for students and young founders. Navarro has described the initiative as a way to create channels of opportunity that might not otherwise exist for entrepreneurs in the region.
Ben Navarro Trending: Why Is Ben Navarro Famous?
Ben Navarro has been receiving renewed attention in September 2026 because of the success of his daughter, Emma Navarro, at the US Open.
Emma reached the 2026 US Open quarterfinals before losing to Jessica Pegula in a three-set American showdown. Her run once again brought attention to her background and, consequently, to her billionaire father and the Navarro family’s connection to tennis.
The attention is particularly strong because Emma and Pegula both come from extraordinarily wealthy American families. Their quarterfinal was widely discussed not only as a major tennis match but also because of the financial backgrounds of both players’ families. Current estimates place Navarro’s personal fortune at approximately $3.2 billion.
Ben’s name also attracts attention because he is not simply the parent of a tennis player. He owns major professional tennis properties himself. His Beemok organization controls the Charleston Open and Cincinnati Open, giving him a direct role in the sport in which his daughter competes.
This has created an unusual family story. Emma grew up attending the Charleston tournament as a spectator and eventually became one of its professional players, while her father became one of the people responsible for running major tournaments on the tennis calendar.
Ben Navarro Personal Life
Ben Navarro is married to Kelly Navarro. The couple have four adult children and are based in Charleston, South Carolina. Kelly has generally maintained a lower public profile than her husband but has been involved in the family’s philanthropic and business activities.
Their daughter Emma is the family’s most visible professional athlete. She became a top-level tennis player after winning the NCAA singles championship at the University of Virginia and later established herself on the WTA Tour. The Navarros also have children named Earl, Owen and Meggie.
Navarro has frequently spoken about the importance of work ethic and perseverance in raising his children. Emma has said that her parents emphasized toughness, discipline and purposeful living while she was growing up. Rather than presenting wealth as a substitute for effort, the family placed significant emphasis on earning achievements through hard work.
Tennis became an important part of family life long before it became a major business for Navarro. The children played the sport, attended tournaments and competed against one another. Emma has particularly credited her father with helping shape the mentality she takes onto a tennis court.
Ben Navarro Age, Religion, Nationality, Height and Physical Appearance
Ben Navarro was born in 1962 or 1963, meaning he is approximately 63 years old in 2026. His exact date of birth is not widely published in authoritative sources, so a specific birthday should not be presented as confirmed.
He is an American citizen and has been based in Charleston, South Carolina, for many years. Forbes lists Charleston as his residence and identifies the United States as his citizenship.
Ben Navarro’s religion has not been clearly established in reliable public sources. He has spoken extensively about values, purpose, education and intentional living, but these discussions do not establish a specific religious affiliation.
His height is also not reliably documented by authoritative sources. He is frequently photographed at business events, sporting events and alongside his family, but there is no reliable official measurement that should be treated as his confirmed height.
Ben Navarro Net Worth
Ben Navarro’s net worth is estimated at approximately $3.2 billion as of September 9, 2026, according to Forbes’ current real-time billionaire profile. Forbes ranks him among the world’s billionaires and identifies his source of wealth as investments.
His fortune has grown considerably over the years. Earlier estimates placed his wealth at around $1.5 billion, but the value of his financial interests, investments and other assets has increased significantly. Current figures should therefore be preferred over older articles that continue to repeat his earlier net-worth estimates.
The foundation of his wealth is Sherman Financial Group and his significant minority interest in Credit One Bank. His broader Beemok portfolio includes hospitality, real estate, sports, entertainment and other investments. Forbes has also reported that Navarro spent more than $300 million acquiring professional tennis tournaments in Cincinnati and Charleston.
Because Navarro’s assets are spread across private companies, investments, real estate and family-office holdings, his exact personal wealth can fluctuate. The $3.2 billion figure should therefore be understood as a current Forbes estimate rather than a fixed amount of cash or publicly disclosed assets.
Ben Navarro Legacy
Ben Navarro’s business legacy is rooted in the transformation of Sherman Financial Group from a company founded in the late 1990s into a major financial services enterprise.
His connection to Credit One Bank has been especially important. The bank expanded from roughly 200,000 cards around the time of its 2005 acquisition to more than 19 million active cards by 2026.
However, Navarro’s legacy extends beyond his personal fortune. His philanthropic work in education has made him a major figure in South Carolina’s education landscape. Meeting Street Schools, the Meeting Street Scholarship Fund and teacher-support programs have collectively directed substantial resources toward students and educators.
His influence on American tennis has also become substantial. Through Beemok, Navarro controls two major professional tournaments and has invested heavily in tennis infrastructure and youth development.
The Cincinnati Open’s long-term commitment to remaining in the Cincinnati region and the major renovation of its facilities demonstrate the scale of his involvement in the sport.
Perhaps the most unusual part of Navarro’s legacy is the intersection between his business empire and his family. His daughter Emma became an elite professional tennis player while her father simultaneously became one of the major owners and investors in American tennis.
His influence in Charleston is similarly broad. Through education, hospitality, real estate, sports, entrepreneurship and wellness, Navarro has attempted to shape the city around the idea of creating places and institutions that bring people together.
Whether his long-term legacy is ultimately defined more by Sherman Financial Group, Credit One Bank, philanthropy, Charleston development or professional tennis remains to be seen. At 63, he remains actively involved in business and community projects.
Conclusion
Ben Navarro is a self-made American billionaire whose career has moved from Wall Street finance into consumer credit, investment, philanthropy, hospitality and professional sports.
He built Sherman Financial Group after working at Goldman Sachs and Citicorp, eventually becoming one of the significant owners of Credit One Bank. That financial empire provided the foundation for his multibillion-dollar fortune, which Forbes currently estimates at approximately $3.2 billion.
Navarro has subsequently used his wealth to build Beemok, a family office with interests ranging from hotels and real estate to professional tennis and community development.
His philanthropic work is equally significant. Meeting Street Schools and related scholarship and teacher programs have directed major resources toward educational opportunity in South Carolina, while his health, wellness and entrepreneurship initiatives have expanded his community influence.
His connection to tennis has become particularly prominent. Through Beemok, he owns the Charleston Open and Cincinnati Open and has invested heavily in the infrastructure surrounding both tournaments.
At the same time, the success of his daughter Emma Navarro has brought a new generation of attention to the family. Emma’s rise from a Charleston junior player to an NCAA champion, WTA star and Grand Slam contender has made Ben’s role as both a father and tennis investor an increasingly interesting part of his public story.
Ben Navarro’s career therefore represents more than the accumulation of wealth. It is also a story of how a Wall Street background developed into a broad family-office empire combining finance, sports, education, hospitality and philanthropy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ben Navarro
Who is Ben Navarro?
Ben Navarro is an American billionaire businessman, investor and philanthropist. He is the founder and CEO of Sherman Financial Group and co-founder of Beemok.
How old is Ben Navarro?
Ben Navarro was born in 1962 or 1963, making him approximately 63 years old in 2026.
What is Ben Navarro famous for?
He is best known as the founder and CEO of Sherman Financial Group, a significant owner of Credit One Bank, a billionaire investor and the owner of major professional tennis tournaments through Beemok.
How did Ben Navarro make his money?
Navarro made his fortune primarily through financial services, consumer credit, debt management and investments. His wealth is closely associated with Sherman Financial Group and his significant minority stake in Credit One Bank.
What is Ben Navarro’s net worth?
Forbes estimates Ben Navarro’s net worth at approximately $3.2 billion as of September 2026.
Is Ben Navarro a billionaire?
Yes. Ben Navarro is a billionaire. Forbes currently estimates his fortune at approximately $3.2 billion.
What company does Ben Navarro own?
Ben Navarro founded Sherman Financial Group and remains its CEO. He also co-founded Beemok, a family office managing his family’s investments and philanthropic activities.
Does Ben Navarro own Credit One Bank?
Ben Navarro owns a significant minority stake in Credit One Bank through his broader financial interests. Sherman Financial Group acquired Credit One Bank in 2005.
What is Beemok?
Beemok is the Navarro family’s single-family office established in 2018. It manages investments and philanthropic initiatives across finance, hospitality, sports, education, health and wellness.
Does Ben Navarro own a tennis tournament?
Yes. Through Beemok, he owns and operates the Credit One Charleston Open and the Cincinnati Open.
Does Ben Navarro own the Cincinnati Open?
Yes. Beemok acquired the tournament and subsequently committed to keeping it in the Cincinnati region for another 25 years.
Who is Ben Navarro’s daughter?
His daughter is Emma Navarro, an American professional tennis player and former NCAA singles champion who reached a career-high world ranking of No. 8.
Is Emma Navarro related to Ben Navarro?
Yes. Emma Navarro is Ben Navarro’s daughter.
Who is Ben Navarro’s wife?
Ben Navarro is married to Kelly Navarro. They have four children.
How many children does Ben Navarro have?
Ben and Kelly Navarro have four adult children.
Who was Ben Navarro’s father?
His father was Frank Navarro, a prominent American college football coach. Ben was one of Frank Navarro’s eight children.
Did Ben Navarro try to buy the Carolina Panthers?
Yes. Navarro was one of the leading bidders for the Carolina Panthers in 2018. He ultimately lost the bid to David Tepper.
Did Ben Navarro work for Citigroup?
Yes. Navarro worked at Citicorp before founding Sherman Financial Group. He became Co-Head of Mortgage Sales and Trading during his time there.
Did Ben Navarro work for Goldman Sachs?
Yes. He began his Wall Street career in mortgage trading at Goldman Sachs.
Where did Ben Navarro go to college?
He attended the University of Rhode Island and graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science in Finance.
Where does Ben Navarro live?
Ben Navarro is based in Charleston, South Carolina, where much of his family’s business, philanthropic and community activity is concentrated.
What is Ben Navarro’s religion?
His religion has not been reliably established through authoritative public sources.
How tall is Ben Navarro?
His exact height has not been reliably documented by authoritative sources.
What is Ben Navarro’s relationship with tennis?
Navarro has a deep involvement in tennis both as a father and as a sports investor. His daughter Emma is a professional player, while his Beemok organization owns the Charleston Open and Cincinnati Open.
What is Meeting Street Schools?
Meeting Street Schools is an education initiative founded by Ben and Kelly Navarro in 2008 to provide high-quality educational opportunities to underserved students in South Carolina.
What is Ben Navarro’s connection to the College of Charleston?
Navarro teaches an “Intentionality” course at the College of Charleston and has supported the institution through philanthropic gifts. His work also helped lead to the creation of a Center for Intentionality.
Is Ben Navarro self-made?
Forbes classifies Navarro’s source of wealth as investments and describes his fortune as self-made. He built his financial career after graduating from the University of Rhode Island and later founded Sherman Financial Group.
Why is Ben Navarro trending in 2026?
Ben Navarro has received renewed attention because his daughter Emma Navarro made another deep run at the 2026 US Open. Emma reached the quarterfinals before losing to Jessica Pegula, once again bringing attention to the Navarro family’s unusual connection to professional tennis and significant wealth.