Del Mar Rotarian Marty Peters lives to serve

Marty Peters gets around town with plates that read “PRE TAX,” a nod to his work in the financial world. He’s a dollar and cents guy, and he has a successful financial firm to prove it. More than 40 years ago he founded Peters Financial Service Corporation, a firm that specializes in creating and diversifying wealth by using trusts, family limited partnerships, charitable remainder trusts, and asset allocation in managed accounts, as well as insurance and annuities. In 1987 he also joined Linsko Private Ledger, which recently went public and is now known as LPL.

Peters graduated from Loyola University and did graduate work at the University of Southern California, with an emphasis in money and banking/finance. Peters also received his Chartered Life Underwriter degree from the American College of Chartered Life Underwriters in Bryn Mawr, PA in 1975, as well as a Registered Health Underwriter Degree in 1984. He has been a qualifying member of the Million Dollar Round Table since 1973, a premier association in the financial services industry that is limited to the top 2 percent of all men and women in the world.

But Peters is about more than the bottom line. He’s dedicated decades to volunteering with community groups, such as the Del Mar Rotary Club, which he’s been a part of since 1978 and was president from 1992 to 1993. He also served as governor of Rotary district 5340 from 1998 to 1999, during which time he led a team to Eritrea, Africa for a National Immunization Day of approximately 390,000 children. In 2000, the Rotary International Foundation awarded him the Citation of Meritorious Service and the Regional Service award for the Polio Free World. Most recently, Peters received the Distinguished Service Award from Rotary International, a distinction that is given to approximately 50 Rotarians worldwide annually.

1. What brought you to this neighborhood?

The closeness of the community and what else: The views, especially at sunset!

1. What makes this town special to you?

The friendly nature of those that live here, especially the dog owners.

1. If you could snap your fingers and have it done, what might you add, subtract or improve in the area?

I would ask all in leadership here to listen with their hearts, as well as their minds.

1. Who or what inspires you?

I’m inspired by people who are servant leaders, and all the volunteers in our community who help serve those in need — you know who you are.

1. If you hosted a dinner party for eight, whom (living or deceased) would you invite?

All those community volunteers — again , you know who you are.

1. Tell us about what you are currently reading.

“Jesuits a Multicultural Biography” by Jean LeCoultre S.J.

1. What is your most-prized possession?

My family: Mary Alice, my wife, and my two daughters Christy and Alana, as well as their husbands Terry Hoeft and Sean McHugh. Also, my granddaughter Kathleen Hoeft, and one more granddaughter, who is due in April.

1. What do you do for fun?

Three areas of fun: my family, my clients, and the Rotary Club of Del Mar.

1. Please describe your greatest accomplishment.

My commitment to serve for more than 30 years on four boards for The Boys and Girls Clubs of San Dieguito, the Rotary Club of Del Mar, St James Catholic Community and the Million Dollar Round Table.

1. What is your motto or philosophy of life?

Follow your faith daily in all that you think, say, and do. You are known by your words and your acts.

The above was compiled by staff writer Marlena Chavira-Medford. If you would like to be considered for this feature, or know someone you’d like to recommend, send an email to marlena@sdranchcoastnews.com or call 858.756.1451.