Chris Martin is the vice president of Member and Industry Relations and leads NRTC’s efforts to support its more than 1,500 electric and telephone members through a variety of outreach, including external communications, corporate marketing and branding, and meetings and events.
He also serves on two industry-related Boards: the National Rural Economic Development Association (NREDA) and the Smart Rural Community (SRC) Advisory Committee of the NTCA.
Prior to his Member and Industry Relations role, Martin was instrumental in two of NRTC's consumer services for its members – DIRECTV and WildBlue. Early in his career with NRTC, Martin supported members in NRTC’s Direct Broadcast Satellite (satellite television) businesses. In 2004, he supported the development and implementation of NRTC’s WildBlue, satellite-delivered broadband internet business. In this role, Martin managed a cross-departmental team of NRTC staff focusing on issues affecting the WildBlue businesses.
Prior to joining NRTC in 1995, Martin was a civilian contractor working for the United States Coast Guard and a high school English and journalism teacher.
Martin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism with minors in Business and Political Science from Pennsylvania State University. He currently resides in Centreville, Va., with his wife, Diane, and two children, Claire (11) and Brady (8).