A passion for doing good

The building that serves as the headquarters for Marek Brothers, a more than 86-year-old specialty interior contractor, is not just filled with employees, office furniture, and filing cabinets. The building in northwest Houston also serves as a museum-like depository of Stan Marek’s family history. 

Placing his hand on the heavy, wooden shipping trunk used by his great grandfather when the family emigrated from Czechoslovakia to Galveston in the 1800s, Marek’s pride is evident. The family patriarch had been a carpenter for the Habsburg monarchy when he made the decision to start a new life in a new world.

“He had enough courage to load up everything in a chest that he had built and come to America."

For Marek, the trunk represents the drive and faith that brought him to where he is today – a successful businessman and philanthropist known for his advocacy for the underserved and, in particular, immigration reform.

After making his way to this country, Marek’s great grandfather settled in Yoakum, Texas and like so many others, made his living as a farmer. But drought and the Great Depression took their toll, and the family lost everything – including their home. 

The Mareks made their way to Houston and began hanging sheetrock to earn a living. That work evolved into Marek Brothers. 

Today, Marek, a devout Catholic, is passionate about charity for others. That desire to help comes in many forms, including his role as chair of the St. Luke’s Foundation. As chair, he has supported a variety of initiatives that align with his commitment to serve the most vulnerable, including gifts to St. Luke’s Employee Assistance Fund and Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center.

Donna Budak, vice president of philanthropy for St. Luke’s Health, is grateful for Marek’s deep connections to the Catholic community and his love of service – a value that is shared by St. Luke’s Health and CommonSpirit Health. “Stan inspires all of us with his desire to make a difference in the world,” Budak says. 

Marek sees a bright future for Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center and St. Luke’s Health, noting the health system’s plans to build the biggest Catholic network in Houston. He speaks easily about the care that comes with being a faith-based health ministry.

“Faith-based means that it’s more than just the dollars,” he says. “It’s the compassionate care for everybody and making this a great place to work for the doctors, the nurses, the staff. And that satisfaction is felt by patients as well.”