A native Ohioan, Marti Barton moved to Bolingbrook with her family in 1987, having been attracted to the village by its diversity and reasonably-priced housing options. Marti stepped right into public service providing auxiliary communications as a licensed ham radio operator during the Plainfield tornado disaster in 1990, and has been serving the community ever since.
She is a widow, after being married to her late husband Keith Barton for 28 years. She has four adult children/stepchildren, a daughter-in-law, and two beautiful granddaughters, who all live in the area.
Education
- Successful completion of the Illinois Municipal League’s “Role of the Clerk” which is a Municipal Clerks of Illinois training program.
- Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Speech/Theatre with a minor in Education from Adrian College in Adrian, Michigan.
- Pastoral Ordination from the Universal Life Church and Monastery in 2010
Community Involvement
- Currently serving her 12th year on the governing board of the Illinois Aviation Museum, including leadership positions on the Marketing and Cavalcade of Planes committees.
- Served on the Alternatives to Suspension Committee for the Valley View School District.
- “Ham” radio operator since 1987, technician-plus class license KA9ZJJ.
- Lifetime member of the Bolingbrook Amateur Radio Society
- Trained severe weather spotter, Six-County Skywarn Network since 1990
Professional/ Business Experience
- As an ordained non-denominational minister, founded Joyful Promises Officiant Services in 2010, performing weddings, vow renewals, and civil union ceremonies.
- Established marketing/copywriting consulting firm WordCrafters, Inc. in 1999.
- Many leadership positions with the Bolingbrook Area Chamber of Commerce:
- 12 years on the Chamber Board of Directors, One year as Chamber president, Co-chair for the Small Business Coalition (10 years), Co-chair for the Bolingbrook Area Networking Group (5 years), Chamber Ambassador, including co-chair for two years (21 years)
- English teacher and substitute teacher in five school districts in both Ohio and Illinois.
- Award-winning Toastmaster since 2002, serving in a variety of club and district leadership positions
- Business Manager for Industrial Flooring Supply/Preservation Polymers 1996-99
Recognitions
- 2019, awarded Bolingbrook Chamber’s Best of Bolingbrook Businesses award for Joyful Promises.
- 2017, earned Distinguished Toastmaster, Toastmasters International/District 30
- 2014, received Chamber's Women in Business Community Leadership award.
- 2006, honored as Bolingbrook's Female Citizen of the Year.
- 2005, Bolingbrook Area Chamber of Commerce’s Best of Bolingbrook Businesses award for WordCrafters, Inc.