Development Teams Install Memorial Statue for Local Hero

More than 1,000 people in Newport Beach, Calif., attended the unveiling of a statue July 6 honoring fallen lifeguard Benjamin Carlson. Carlson died two years ago while saving the life of a man who was in distress. The Ben Carlson Memorial Statue was installed by BrightView’s Orange County and San Diego Development teams led by Cruz Diaz, Phillip Germann, and Jonathan Fabry.

Ben Carlson was the first lifeguard to die in the line of duty in the Newport Beach Lifeguard Department’s 100-year history. His actions have earned four Medals of Valor, a letter from the President, and a dedication from the city of Newport Beach with the naming of the Benjamin M. Carlson Lifeguard Headquarters, located just steps from the new statue. The statue is constructed of marine-grade stainless steel.

Jake Janz, the artist who designed and fabricated the statue and Ben’s brother-in-law, reached out to Lifescapes International and the BrightView Development Team. Together, they donated more than $100,000 in materials and labor to the project. BrightView teams managed the procurement of materials, securing permits, and an electrical contractor and consultants to review the design and installation. Over the last two weeks, BrightView teams performed the staging, demolition, irrigation, concrete and stone paving, and plaque installation.

“The story behind this project was a great inspiration to our teams,” said Diaz, General Superintendent at BrightView Landscape Development. “We do a lot of work in the Newport Beach area so the opportunity to lend our expertise to help memorialize a hero who means so much to this community was really something special.”

The Ben Carlson Memorial & Scholarship Foundation believes this statue is not only a tribute to Ben’s heroism for the community of Newport Beach, but also a sign of respect to all lifeguards. Members of the Carlson family also thanked the BrightView teams and were honored by the level of sophistication that went into the project.

“Our teams could not have been more proud of their work that honors a hero who gave his life in the line of duty,” said Germann, Senior Vice President of BrightView Landscape Development. “This was a great opportunity to take care of the community where we have worked and played for many years.”

The story behind this project was a great inspiration to our teams. We do a lot of work in the Newport Beach area so the opportunity to lend our expertise to help memorialize a hero who means so much to this community was really something special.
- Cruz Diaz, General Superintendent at BrightView Landscape Development