Through involvement, there are a variety of advantages one can gain. From discovering interests to developing new skills and abilities, being involved in your community and through early life can serve as a reinforcement for one’s ideology and lead to a greater sense of purpose.
Derek Wolf, 25, is the founder and CEO of Howling Wolves Financial Services, where he also works as a senior field specialist with his team members across the United States.
Born into a blue-collar working family with an entrepreneurial focus, Wolf was not handed his success. Throughout his life, he has shown nothing less of hard work and dedication to his family and community.
From a young age, Wolf became very involved in his community and the programs it provided for people like himself. From being active in the church to 4H and Future Farmers of America (FFA), Wolf loved it all.
Wolf eventually joined The Texas Junior Angus Association (TJAA) through 4H, becoming very involved in showing cattle and participating in all of the other activities that the TJAA kindly offered to help develop the Juniors, which included ages 14 to 21 years of age.
Through this, Wolf was able to acquire a wide range of Agricultural Experiences as well as experiential learning, taught through entrepreneurship, internship programs, and exploring new career opportunities.
With his growing involvement, Wolf went on to serve in multiple offices and roles through 4H, FFA, and the TJAA.
With this, before serving as the President of the TJAA, Wolf also became very active in the National Junior Angus Association (NJAA), eventually running for one of the board positions offered every year.
“I eventually ran for a NJAA board candidate position though I didn’t make it as they only elect six new candidates yearly from the United States,” said Wolf. “But this was okay as many great people, including my friends, were also running that year.”
During this same time, Wolf was also a member of the Boy Scouts of America’s Scouts BSA program, where he grew to develop skills in many areas, such as leadership, commitment, and teamwork.
After putting in a lot of time, effort, and work, Wolf eventually achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Making him a part of the four to six percent of scouts ever to achieve this ranking since its establishment in 1912.
“This has always been a proud accomplishment of mine,” said Wolf.
The Eagle, in Scouting, embodies a person’s character strength and understanding of all aspects of Scouting; it represents a profound understanding of both community and nation, as well as a deep appreciation for both. Something that Wolf still exemplifies today.
Once 18 and still, in high school, Wolf chose to join his community’s local fire department as a volunteer firefighter. Where he assisted in helping rebuild their community’s outdated department and assisted in fundraising for new equipment and protective gear.
After graduating high school, Wolf continued his education at Vernon College in Wichita Falls, Tx, where he earned his associate’s degree. After achieving this, Wolf transferred to Tarleton State University, where he joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC.) With great diligence, he was quickly promoted to the rank of squad leader and, later, the platoon’s Sergeant.
Unfortunately, as Wolf’s father’s health took a turn for the worst, he made the honorable decision to step down from his ROTC ranks in order to return home to be with his family and assist them in any way he could.
However, this decision did not stop his education, and he continued his schooling at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, Texas, where he was so gratefully able to attend with the scholarships won through his participation in 4H, FFA, and the TJAA.
Wolf was able to complete his education while living close to his childhood home and working full-time to assist the businesses owned by his family members. Over time, Wolf completed his education and earned a degree in Economics and Business with a focus in Finance.
After graduation, and while working 70-90 hours per week, Wolf began to apply his experiences and education to his future career, where he eventually found his life purpose through insurance.
After seizing every opportunity that came his way, Wolf started his own insurance agency, Howling Wolves Financial Services. Looking back on the life Wolf lived and continues to build, he can be seen as a prime example of how, through involvement and dedication, one can build on the accomplishments they have come to achieve.
With this, Wolf remains an active member of his community and hopes to contribute to the lives of those around him and across the country through his insurance agency, promoting financial literacy and in any other way he can.
To learn more on Derek Wolf and Howling Wolves Financial Services please click here.