MARTIN FERNANDEZ: VICE PRESIDENT, BOARD OF DIRECTORS; MENTORSHIP PROGRAM CHAIR

Vice President of the Board for Roll Call Chicagoland, Martin helps guide organizational priorities and long-term planning to ensure RCC remains responsive and impactful for veterans and military families across Chicagoland. A dedicated leader and mentor, he brings decades of military, technical, and business expertise to support RCC’s mission of community, networking, and career development.

Martin is a retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant with 4 years of active duty, including service in the White House Communications Agency providing secure communications for President Ronald Reagan, Vice President George H.W. Bush, and senior cabinet officials. He continued his service with 22 years in the Illinois Army National Guard, including deployment to Iraq (2004–2005) as a Battalion Signal Officer supporting the Big Red One Infantry Division and the 101st Airborne Division.

Following his military career, Martin transitioned into the private sector where he has built a 30+ year career in telecommunications, product development, and large-scale project management. He currently serves as a Senior Project Manager with Dematic, where he oversees multi-million-dollar warehouse integration projects for global clients. His previous civilian roles include leadership positions at USRobotics, 3Com, UL Solutions, and enVista.

At RCC, Martin spearheaded the development of the organization’s mentorship program, personally guiding veteran job-seekers and training fellow volunteers to become more effective mentors.

Martin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Northeastern Illinois University and is a Certified Scrum Master, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Lean Leader, and Supply Chain Professional.

Outside of work and volunteering, Martin lives in Morton Grove, Illinois, with his wife. They are proud parents of five grown children. He enjoys music, motorcycles, fishing, golf, and staying engaged in politics.