Joe Martin, CHA, owner/operator of Stillwater Hospitality, LLC, is immediate past chair of AH&LA.
An active and long-time supporter of AH&LA, Martin has served on the association's board of directors for the past seven years. In addition, he is a member of the Executive Committee and officer liaison for the Governmental Affairs/HotelPAC Committee, Multicultural & Diversity Advisory Council, and Women In Lodging Executive Council, among others. From 2003-2004, he served on the Planning Task Force, which resulted in the restructuring of the AH&LA bylaws to transition the association from a federation to a dual-membership organization.
A graduate of Oklahoma State University (B.S. '75) and Louisiana State University (M.S. '76), Martin is owner and operator of the Best Western Mark Motor Hotel in Weatherford, Oklahoma and the Hampton Inn & Suites in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Martin's Weatherford Best Western property has been named the "Best of the Best," Best Western's highest recognition, in 2001, 2005, 2006 and 2008. His Hampton Inn & Suites in Stillwater has been recognized as a "Connie Award" winner, Hilton's highest honor, in 2003, 2004 and 2007.
Martin is a 28-year veteran in the hospitality industry and is actively involved in city, state and national activities having served as president/chairman of the Weatherford, Oklahoma Area Chamber of Commerce, Weatherford Rotary Club and the Weatherford Public School Foundation. He is past chairman of the Stillwater Convention & Visitors Bureau and past treasurer of the Stillwater Chamber of Commerce. He served as a governor appointee on the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Commission from 1995 through 2002 and received the State of Oklahoma's Tourism Service Award in 2002. He was on the organizing committee of Leadership Oklahoma, a statewide leadership development program, and serves on its board of directors.
Martin currently serves on the board of advisors for the college of Hotel & Restaurant Administration at Oklahoma State University and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2009. He is past chairman of the Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association and currently serves on its board of directors. Nationally, he is a past board member of the Outdoor Advertising Association of America (OAAA) in Washington, D.C., after having served as chairman of the American Council of Highway Advertisers prior to its merger with OAAA.
Martin and his wife and business partner, Pam, have been married for 33 years. They have 3 sons, Jay, Ross and Cole.
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Editor's Note: Mr. Martin is available to talk to journalists about a variety of lodging industry topics. For an interview, contact AH&LA's press hotline at (202) 289-3131 or media@ahla.com.