Fernando Martinez is an executive employee benefits advisor at Clarus Benefits Group, a Houston-based consulting and insurance brokerage firm designed to support each client's unique organizational needs.

Paul Wilson: How did you get your start in the benefits industry?

I grew up in Chicago, where my dad was a pediatric surgeon. Unfortunately, his practice fell apart due to a malpractice suit and we ended up moving to Texas. At the time, it seemed like the worst thing to me, but it was a blessing in disguise, because I started playing sports down there and I met a guy named PJ Piper. He was my basketball coach for several years and happened to be a veteran of the worksite industry. I noticed his lifestyle and how he could take the time to coach and spend time with his family. And l had seen the flip-side of that with my father growing up, who made a good amount of money but wasn't always able to make the family a priority due to the demands of his job.