Meet Our Team

Douglas Benz graduated from the University at Buffalo and spent eight years working as a photojournalist on the local and national level, including the New York Times, Sports Illustrated, the Associated Press, USA Today, Reuters.

During that time, he also served numerous charitable and civic causes, including as president of his alma mater Canisius High School’s Alumni Board of Governors, coordinating alumni outreach and the school’s popular Downtowners speaker series.

The demands of a career in media gave way to the demands of being a husband and father to a growing family (and best friend to their faithful dog, Bessie). A career in property and casualty insurance was the perfect fit and it brought with it a new adventure. In 2014 the Benz family moved to Naples, Fla. to further Doug’s career.

Though his professional career was progressing in Florida, Doug and Liz maintained their desire to start something of their own and raise their family in Buffalo. They say all roads lead home and this was certainly true. Doug, Liz, their 6 kids returned to the city they love in late 2016, founding New Buffalo Insurance Agency.

Specializing in personal and commercial insurance, New Buffalo Insurance Agency’s namesake represents both the Benz family’s personal story and the city’s resurgence. As a proud resident and business owner, Doug is committed to living up to Buffalo’s motto: A City of Good Neighbors

Six years later, New Buffalo Insurance is thriving, employs six people and represents clients all over New York State and beyond.

Among other endeavors, Doug is serving on the Big I (insurance brokers association) WNY board president for 2022-2023 and Big I NY board of directors. This involves regularly advocating in Albany and Washington, D.C. on matters that benefit insurance consumers. Liz operates the personal lines department and somehow manages to make every game and practice, as the kids are now in grade school, high school and college.

Listen to Doug on the Finding Peak Podcast!