On February 27, 2025, Catholic Extension Society honored Stan Marek at the Eighth Annual Houston Spirit of Francis Award Dinner.
Stan Marek is Chairman and CEO of the Marek Family of Companies, one of the largest interior specialty contractors in the Southwest, with offices in Houston, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Austin, San Antonio, the Rio Grande Valley, Atlanta, and Nashville.
In addition to leading his company, Stan has focused on workforce development and the sustainability of an industry dealing with a broken immigration system. Marek has his own immigrant story; his family immigrated from Czechoslovakia, lived the American dream, and lost everything during the Great Depression, experiencing four years of homelessness. That story is only one reason he has spent the last 25 years advocating for meaningful immigration reform. His other reason, as related to others, is that “it’s the right thing to do.”
Stan is the co-founder of Texans for Sensible Immigration Reform, and a member of the Greater Houston Partnership’s task force, Americans for Immigration Reform.
Stan is the co-author, with Loren Steffy, of “Deconstructed: An Insider’s View of Illegal Immigration and the Building Trades.”
Marek was inducted into the Texas A&M Constructors Hall of Fame in 2015.
His most recent efforts on immigration reform revolve around his support of high impact YouTube films with the creative team at Rational Middle, and hosting thoughtful discussions to educate the community and focus on solutions.
The Spirit of Francis Award
Catholic Extension Society’s Spirit of Francis Award recognizes an individual or group who has made a significant impact on the mission of the Catholic Church in America through service or philanthropy. Spirit of Francis Award recipients are laudable for their commitment “to reach out to the margins of society” in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis, and the founder of Catholic Extension Society, Father Francis Clement Kelley.
Event Beneficiary
Proceeds from this Spirit of Francis Award Dinner benefit pastoral and spiritual care for immigrant families.
In Texas, the Catholic faith is strong—and growing. As part of its mission to share the love of Jesus Christ, the Catholic Church in Texas has for many years offered pastoral services and spiritual care to immigrant families. Catholic Extension Society is proud to support these ministries which extend friendship, dignity and God’s presence to all. Proceeds from this dinner will support the ministries of today’s Catholic leaders doing this essential work.
Eighth Annual Houston Spirit of Francis Award Dinner
Event Co-chairs:
Bob and John Parsley
Thursday, February 27, 2025
6:00 PM | Reception
7:00 PM | Dinner and Award Presentation
Venue:
River Oaks Country Club
1600 River Oaks Boulevard
Houston, TX 77019
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For additional information or to make a reservation, please contact Catholic Extension Society’s Event Office at CatholicExtension@DaylaArabella.com or call 617.449.7384.