Martin was promoted to USHPA's Executive Director in 2011 and has been a committed staff member since 2005. Aviation has been an integral part of Martin's life which started with hang gliding in Kitty Hawk, NC at the age of 14. Although his pursuit of hang gliding was brief, it evolved into flying sail planes during high school before finally settling on paragliding in 1996. He has been an avid paraglider pilot ever since and is currently rated P-4 & H-1. As a pilot member on staff, he is able to bring a member's perspective to the office. Martin's other passion is traveling which has brought him to over 25 countries. He holds a degree in Architecture from Virginia Tech and was an adjunct professor of graphic design at Pikes Peak Community College. Martin also helped form Recreation Risk Retention Group during the insurance crisis. He currently lives in downtown Colorado Springs.