Let's Meet: Mary Humphrey

Mary Humphrey, the 2011 Firman B. Voohrhies Volunteer of the Year, is a CPA with the Seledon, Vanni, Humphrey and Kawafuchi accounting firm.

Humphrey was born and raised in Gilroy and has been involved with the , , Leadership Gilroy Foundation and the Gilroy Business Association, just to name a few of the organizations and events she volunteers with.

Patch had the chance to catch up with her at the .

Gilroy Patch: How does it feel to be honored as the 2011 Volunteer of the Year?

Mary Humphrey: It’s great. I’m just very humbled by this whole nomination and the whole award. There are so many people in this community who give so much and I feel that I’m just amongst the best here in Gilroy.

Patch: How did you find out that you had been named this year’s recipient?

Humphrey: I was in Argentina and my daughter sent me a text. I just said, ‘What? Are you serious?’ I was surprised. I didn’t expect it because I don’t really think volunteers really go looking for recognition. They just do it from the heart.

Patch: What are some of the organizations and projects that you’ve been involved with over the years?

Humphrey: I served on the board for eight years, and that was really my stepping-stone. I was also involved in Leadership Gilroy. I’m an alumnus of that program, class of 2000. I recently became involved in .  I served as president there for the 2010-2011 year. Now I’m in a leadership academy for Rotary International and that’s very, very exciting. It’s very fun.

Patch: Wow, you’re in everything! Do you ever get worn out from working and volunteering as much as you do?

Humphrey: Yes, I tend to over-extend myself and then I have to back off a little.

Patch: What keeps you going?

Humphrey: When I am working for a good cause, I usually make a commitment and then follow it through to completion.

Patch: What inspires you to volunteer for so many Gilroy organizations?

Humphrey: There’s just something about Gilroy. Because of the Garlic Festival, I think there is a great spirit of volunteerism in Gilroy. We’re all out there in the Garlic Festival. You meet great people and you’re challenged to do things that you might not normally do or that are different than your ordinary daily routine. It’s just fun. There’ll all good people that you’re working with. I’ll always do the Garlic Festival.

Patch: Do you find any links between your career as an accountant and your work as a volunteer? Are there any skills you’ve found that you can crossover?

Humphrey: Oh, most definitely. Due to the fact that I’m a CPA, I usually am assigned to the finance committee. I rather enjoy it when I’m assigned to a committee unrelated to my profession. But it’s all good. I will work wherever I provide the greatest value.

Patch: Any projects or organizations you’re passionate about looking into the future?

Humphrey: I’ll continue my involvement with the Garlic Festival. That’s near and dear to everybody’s heart. Then I also plan to get involved in Rotary more on the district level. I think that’s a really, really important organization. I’m learning more about it and I plan to stay involved.