Richard Martinez is a retired superintendent who successfully served as Chief Executive Officer for 13 years in Pomona, California. As superintendent, he oversaw the educational programs and operations of his school district. Mr. Martinez brings a wealth of experience from his 33-year career in education, from being a Counselor in Montebello Unified School District to being Superintendent of the Pomona Unified School District. The Alliance for Children’s Rights bestowed the prestigious Francis M. Wheat Service Award for his life-long advocacy and the University of La Verne presented Mr. Martinez with an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters in May 2022. Under his leadership, the Pomona Unified School District has been acclaimed as one of California’s most innovative districts, reaping multiple national and state awards for academic excellence, including the Golden Bell Award from the California School Boards Association. In 2022, the District received national recognition when awarded the Magna Award (grand prize) for Parent Empowerment from the National School Boards Association (NSBA). In addition, in 2022, Pomona Unified School District under the leadership of Mr. Martinez successfully provided instruction to 10,000 unaccompanied minors who were temporarily sheltered at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds (Fairplex). State, local, and federal officials who visited lauded the English Language Program offered and Xavier Becerra, United States Secretary of Health and Human Services called it a model program in the country. Mr. Martinez earned a B.A. in Social Work from California State University, Los Angeles, Pupil Personnel Services Credential, and an Administrative Services Credential from the University of La Verne. Mr. Martinez currently sits on the Los Angeles County Fair Association Board and serves as Board Chair of the Pomona Community Foundation. He is married to Elva Martinez, and they have two adult children. They reside in Whittier, California.