MARTA FREY 2022 Volunteer Of The Year

By Patti Otte

Another awesome and accomplished leader, Marta Frey was honored as the Richardson Chamber of Commerce's Volunteer of the Year. Marta was born in Puerto Rico before moving with her family to Richardson in 1976. Marta attended Dartmouth Elementary, Hamilton Park Elementary, Apollo Jr High and Berkner HS. She then graduated from Texas A&M University with a BA in history and languages.

Early on, Marta’s family life centered around maintaining their Hispanic culture while learning about their new Texas home. Her family hosted potlucks incorporating Puerto Rican and Colombian (her father was from

Colombia) cuisines with their American friends. Her childhood was spent sharing countless days with cousins, aunts and uncles.

Marta’s family, including son Alex, a Richardson-based software engineer, and Noah, a market researcher living in Chicago, is a central part of her life. Says Marta, “My sons are my inspiration and provide my sense of direction. My mom, Myrta G. Gómez, a former educator, taught me why giving back is so important. And my father Hector, affectionately known as 'Papapa', was well-respected in the engineering consulting community and taught me to embrace a strong work ethic.”

Marta continues, “Mimi (my mom) taught me to serve always, in all ways. She showed me how there can be creativity in who and how I serve, as long as I serve. As I child, I didn’t yet have causes I was passionate about, so she encouraged me to use my favorite hobbies in ways to serve others. For example, when I was in the Dallas Girls’ Choir, we sang to and volunteered at local hospitals.”

Marta currently serves as the director of the Collin Small Business Development Center. In that role, she advocates, advises and educates small business owners as they seek to grow their companies. The Center is a nonprofit grant program that provides marketing, financing, growth strategies, startup, and business expansion consulting services at no cost. Says Marta, “I absolutely love what I do.”

Winston Churchill famously said, “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” His words inspire Marta. “Fortunately, with so many servant leaders in Richardson, our community has a strong foundation on which to build our vibrant future,” she states.

Currently, Marta serves in a variety of capacities within the Richardson community: as the Incoming Board Chair for Network of Community Ministries; on the Methodist Richardson Medical Center Foundation Board as Vice Chair, Governance; on the Richardson Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors; and as a Counseling Advisory Board member for RISD Memorial Park Academy.

When asked what she would tell the next generation of volunteers, Marta thoughtfully replies, “There is need everywhere: in education, the arts, social services, business mentorship and leadership, city government, within our houses of worship, and so much more. Find whatever cause is close to your heart, an activity you enjoy doing, or a treasure you can share and offer it to someone. Those that need it will be filled with gratitude.”

When she’s not volunteering or working, Marta loves spending time in the Spring Creek Nature Area, an oasis filled with trees, a creek and bike trails, where neighbors enjoy the outdoors. She can also be found in Chinatown— one of Richardson’s cultural hot spots. There she enjoys viewing the Dallas Chinese Community Center’s many amazing works of art, attending cultural celebrations, and enjoying its diverse cuisines and restaurants. Furthermore, as a small business advocate, Marta is proud to see how Lockwood and the CORE Districts have blossomed over the past few years.

If she had no responsibilities, Marta would be traveling the world. Instead, she spends her time enjoying music, hanging out with family and friends (pool time with a cocktail is a favorite), and thrift shopping. She’s also a huge English Premiere League soccer fan and watches it every weekend! She admires Audrey Hepburn and quotes St Ignatius of Loyola: ““Go forth and set the world on fire.”

To Marta, setting the world on fire means to “Move forward with passion. Continue to learn and excel. Share and inspire others.” As an excellent mother, a devoted friend and a servant-hearted leader, Marta is doing just that.

Editor’s Note: In each issue of Richardson Life Magazine, we are shining a spotlight on ways to improve mental, physical, emotional or spiritual health. This issue focuses on mental health, in particular healthy approaches to online access. If you have a healthy living topic you would like to see us address, email pmotte@hylogroup.com.