Nice to Meet Ya: Martin Garza

Getting to know Dripping Springs Neighbor, Martin Garza, is not hard. Even in these days of health safeguards, it’s important that he stay busy volunteering and serving the community. Garza serves as an officer in the Knights of Columbus, on the Founders Day Commission, as President of Project Connect and more.

“I have this desire to do what I can to help, knowing if I need help, I will be helped,” Garza said. He remembers a few summers back when he had a serious chest injury, and the community helped. “We were inundated with food, until we said, no more we’re covered,” he said.

A graduate of Jefferson High School in San Antonio, the University of Texas Austin brought Garza to the area in ‘85. He retired from the state last November and never slowed down.

His family moved here in 2006, so his daughter could attend kindergarten in the Dripping Springs Independent School District. When his daughter was in second grade, he got involved with the Dripping Springs Elementary PTA. He would then become President of that PTA, the Dripping Springs Middle School PTA for two years and then President of the high school’s PTSA.

“Serving on each, they have their own merits, the PTA and PTSA. That’s a tribute to my mom. She was very active in PTA’s, band boosters, bi-lingual, a lot of her efforts for us… it’s a kind of a way to honor her, myself and brother, but also for the whole school community.”

Events in the Dripping Springs community also interest Garza. It all started with Founders Day. Working Founders Days weekend is a huge event, perhaps the largest in Dripping, with plenty of business at the Knights of Columbus beer booth.

“There’s a strong Knights of Columbus presence (at Founders Day). St. Martin’s was one of the original partners … I shadowed one of the Knights on the Founders Day Commission. When he was ready to step away, there I was. It’s a great event that brings the whole community together…my fingers are crossed for next year.”

His life changed recently, marrying Charlene in April at an outdoor ceremony in Dripping Springs. “We’re still on our honeymoon… there’s six kids between us, the youngest a sophomore. There’s two left at the high school. We’re not far from being empty nesters.”

Garza is also a sports enthusiast. He played sports in grade school, and as an adult he’s been a soccer coach and a goalkeeper which has resulted in a few major scares, including a rib puncture and a concussion. “My wife is ready for me to retire,” he said.

As for the future, he has plans to run for the Dripping Springs Chamber of Commerce Board, hoping to lend his IT knowledge, grow its membership, and to see how nonprofits can be better served by the Chamber. He also wants to help causes with different fundraising events.

Helping others in the community, it’s what Martin Garza does.