Kettering school board appoints Mark Martin as new member

Martin, 43, is a graduate of the University of Dayton and an executive director with Community Tissue Services in Kettering, where he has lived for 20 years.

“We need help,” board President Jim Ambrose told Martin Tuesday night. “And we need your help and I think we’re going to make a magnificent district for these kids."

Martin, who was sworn in Tuesday night, was the only candidate of the 20-plus applicants to meet with the board three times, district Treasurer Dan Schall said.

Three others – Diane Farrell, state Sen. Peggy Lehner and Chrissie Richards – were also called back by the board for a second interview from a candidate field of “so many quality people,” Ambrose said.

Martin stood out because of his character, Ambrose said, and "his appreciation of what we’re trying to do” on issues schools are facing with COVID-19.

“He seems to really understand what we’re trying to get done,” the board president said. “He’s a very organized gentlemen … He supervises 238 people. He’s not new at this – handling people and situations.”

Public schools, Martin said in a released statement, "are one of the most important services a community provides to its young people.

“I am committed to partnering with our board members to help shape our district as it continues to become more diverse and as we face some challenging times with additional anticipated cuts in state funding as a result of the impact of the pandemic on the state budget,” he added.

Martin has been with the tissue center for 14 years, having worked as an executive director since 2016 after serving as a coordinator and supervisor, records show.

Prior to that he worked at Delphi Automotive for seven years as a quality operator/coordinator. Martin earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from UD and a master’s degree in business/health care administration from Strayer University, district records show.

Martin said he has volunteered for nearly two decades as a mentor or coach. At Fairmont High School, he has served on the football coaching staff.

He and his wife, Jennifer, have raised two sons, both Fairmont graduates.