 Martin lives in Conroe, where he is an attorney with the Gilbert and Enis law firm in the Woodlands. He is a retired senior district judge in Montgomery County's 2nd and 9th District Courts. He attended Texas A&M University on a football scholarship before transferring to SHSU to study political science. He earned his J. D. degree in 1972 from the South Texas College of Law. As a senior district judge, Martin presided over hundreds of high profile criminal and civil jury trials, and thousands of non-jury trials and hearings. He pioneered Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Montgomery County and presided over the first district court to impose mediation in all civil cases. One of his legacies, however, according to those who nominated him for the award, is his impact on the youth of the communities in which he has worked. "The impact of his positive actions will affect our communities forever," wrote one. "'Finish your education' is one of his frequent statements to these kids and then that famous laugh is heard, and he says, 'You never finish learning.'" Martin's SHSU and community activities have included service on the SHSU presidential search committee in 1995 and as board member and president of the SHSU Alumni Association advisory board, establishment of a scholarship in political science, and status as a lifetime vice president of the Montgomery County Fair Association. Martin has three children and six grandchildren. |