Candidate for
Council Member; City of Huntington Park

Efren Martinez BIOGRAPHY

Efren Martinez is married and a 22-year resident of Huntington Park. Born in Los Angeles, he is a community advocate and leads by example.

Efren is a product of all local schools attending Miles Elementary, Henry T. Gage Middle School and Huntington Park High. After graduating from Huntington Park High School, he attended Cerritos Community College thereafter transferred to Woodbury University and later joined the United State Marine Corps, where he enrolled in the Navy College program majoring in business.

Efren served ten years in the United States Marine Corps and amongst several overseas deployments he holds three combat tours and amongst countless achievements in the military, Efren also earned 1 Presidential Citation, 7 Medals, 5 Combat /combat related service ribbons/awards, 1 Navy Meritorious Commendation, 3 Individual Marine Commendations and several other individual awards and achievements.

Here are some examples of Efren's thousands of community service hours in civic engagements and wide involvement in community affairs:

-Serves on the board of several organizations including Kiwanis Club, Salvation Army, YMCA, Community Leaders and Neighborhood Watch programs.

-Volunteer - presenting holiday gifts to the physically and/or mentally challenged students at Pacific Blvd. Elementary School, an LAUSD campus for disabled student since 1996.

-Volunteered in feeding the less fortunate families during Thanksgiving and other holidays.

-He has also been active with the caring and sharing quality time with senior and youth volunteer services.

-Reading and teaching kids and adults to read at the local Library.

-Member of the American Cancer Society, he was instrumental in volunteering his time and effort in the organization of the first American Cancer Society "Relay for Life" in the City of Huntington Park and Southeast Cities.

-Member of the Huntington Park Kiwanis Club, he founded, organize and present the first Annual Kiwanis Club Scholarship Fund-Raising Carnival. In its first official presentation, he was able to secure over $10,000.00, all proceeds generated were strictly for graduating seniors of Huntington Park High School and surrounding cities that needed assistance with their endeavors of furthering their education.

Aside from countless hours as volunteer in local events and causes, Mr. Martinez is also actively involved in the business interests of the community. After 8 years working for the Huntington Park Chamber of Commerce, Efren caught the eye of County and business leaders who tapped him to become Executive Director/CEO of the Florence-Firestone and Walnut Chamber of Commerce, a job he's held for three years now. The Chamber serves the unincorporated County area of South Central Los Angeles and Walnut Park and one of only two Chambers funded by the County of Los Angeles. Mr. Martinez works on a daily basis with County, State and Federal officials, its representatives and employees. He has also been appointed by County Supervisors to serve on economic development, constituent services and public safety committees for the local areas and County of Los Angeles. Through his involvement in the second Supervisory District of the Los Angeles County, he actively participates in the Empowerment Congress where he currently serves as the Economic Development Chair.

Honed by years in military, business and community service, Efren has the experience, skills, and drive to get things done, and has gained valuable experience in a full spectrum of issues affecting residents and business community. Efren Martinez knows first-hand the issues that most interest Huntington Park, its surrounding cities, needs of residents, families, youth, students, seniors and its businesses.