Derek Benavides is an independent insurance agent for The Woodlands Financial Group.  He was born and raised in Brownsville, Texas, and is son to State Farm agent Felipe Benavides and Gloria Jean Benavides. 

He has a B.A. in Public Relations from the University of Texas at San Antonio and high school graduate of Valley Christian High School where he recently taught 3 years of senior Economics and serves as Chairman on their school board.

His professional career has always been in the insurance and sales industry with companies such as Enterprise Rent-a-Car, New York Life Insurance, Progressive Insurance, State Farm Insurance, and now he has partnered with one of the fastest growing general agencies, The Woodlands Financial Group. 

Derek is a graduate of Leadership Brownsville class 27 and also serves on their board of directors, was appointed to the City of Brownsville Planning and Zoning Commission (2015-present), City of Brownsville Advisory Committee for the Brownsville Parks and Recreation Department 2012-2015 and its Chairman from 2014-2015, a facilitator for Dave Ramsey’s: Financial Peace University since 2009, Co-founder of the Paul Hanson Memorial Golf Tournament, Deacon for Good Shepherd Community Church, and many other community events and organizations.

He enjoys spending time with his wife, Martha, two children, Diego and Areli, and his dog, Millie.  Derek loves sports, hunting, and fishing.