Education (Formal)

  • W.B. Ray High School 1980
  • Associates of Science Park University - 2002
  • Bachelor of Science Park University - 2004
  • Judicial Education Texas State University - 2013
  • Leadership Corpus Christi (LCC-31)

Memberships/Boards

  • American Heart Association of the Coastal Bend, (Board of Director)
  • Nueces County Community Action Agency (Board of Director)
  • Educating Our Children's Future Community Center (Board of Director)
  • Instituto De Cultura Hispanica De Corpus Christi (Board of Director)
  • Children's Advocacy Center of the Coastal Bend (Former President/Chairman)
  • Hispanic Heritage Association (Former President/Chairman)
  • Crosstown Kiwanas (Former President/Chairman)
  • Joe A. Gonzalez (JAG) EIOF (Former President/Chairman)
  • Corpus Christi Concert Ballet (Former Board of Director)
  • Court Appointed Special Advocates (Former Board of Director)
  • Westside Business Association (Former Board of Director)
  • Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (Former Board of Director)
  • Regional Transportation Authority (Former Board of Director)
  • Marine Corps League of the Coastal Bend (Former Board of Director)
  • Texas Justices Court Judges (Member)
  • Foster Grandparents (Member)
  • South Texas Justice of the Peace and Constable Association (Member)
  • Nueces County, Texas Bail Bond Board (Member)
  • Fraternal Order of Police (Member)
  • American Legion (Member)
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars (Member)
  • Disabled American Veterans (Member)
  • Corpus Christi Police Explores (Member)
  • Operation K.E.Y.S. Keeping Every Youth In School (Member)
  • Lions Club (Member)
  • Corpus Christi Youth Football League (Former Member)
  • Gear-Up and Texas Scholar Program (Former Member)
  • Dress for Success (Former Member)
  • Boys and Girls Club (Former Member)

Former Work Experience

  • United States Marine Corps Retired (Combat Veteran) 1980-2000
  • Unique Employment 2000-2005
  • CCISD (GED Instructor-At Risk Students) 2005-2010
  • Centene Corporation 2010-2013
  • Current Justice of the Peace 2013

Community Awards

  •  Corpus Christi Bar Association Liberty Bell Award 2023
  • Foster Grandparent Club Partnership Annual Award 2013
  • Community Partnership CCISD 2013
  • CITGO Service and Dedication Award 2013
  • Community Member of the Year (Texas PTA) 2013
  • Nominated for the Marlowe Sherwood Memorial Service Award 2013
  • Texas Association of Literacy Education's Texas Education Leadership in Literacy Award 2017

Judge Joe Benavides JP1-1, Nueces County and National Guard partnership (2013)

Judge Benavides commitment to curtail the dropout epidemic here locally has partnered with the National Guard program Texas Challenge Academy in Sheffield, Texas. Establishing a foundation through education, training, volunteer service and training. TCA is a volunteer alternative 6 month education program for 16 to 18 year old youth who are not reaching their potential. The purpose of the TCA program, through use of a military training model is to:

  • Target at risk youth with the highest potential for reversal.
  • Provide youth with the tools and experience to succeed.
  • Develop youth into productive, employed, and tax paying citizens.

Encouraging Life Success in Today's Youth (2013)

This is an At-Risk Workshop for Middle and High School at risk youths ages from 15 to 17. It is conducted once every three months. Youths that are making bad choices and are involved with minor infractions, the workshop is a preventive first line of defense in preventing our youths from committing more serious crimes and encouraging students to stay in school.