I'm a Pathfinder: Scott Martin
Published on May 20, 2025
Scott Martin’s roots run deep in Ashland, Kentucky, where he grew up with a strong sense of community.
With his father, Dick Martin, at the helm of WAMX/WCMI radio and his mother, Jeanne, dedicating her career to education as a teacher and guidance counselor, Martin was raised in an environment that blended entrepreneurship, public service, and a commitment to community.
Alongside his brother Dicky, Martin was involved in the family business from a young age, helping at the radio station and absorbing lessons in responsibility and leadership that would stay with him for life.
For Martin, choosing to attend Ashland Community College, now Ashland Community and Technical College (ACTC), was a natural next step. Enrolling at ACC allowed him to stay close to home and continue preparing for a future in broadcasting and business.
“Going to ACC made all the sense in the world to me,” he said. “I was already working at the radio station during high school, so being able to go to college and still be involved in the family business, and preparing myself to help run that business, was what I wanted to do.”
He earned his associate degree in 1981, setting the foundation for the next phase of his academic and professional journey.
Martin continued his education at Marshall University, earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1983. That was when his career truly began.
“I was a morning show guy for the biggest part of my career, while also handling some engineering, sales and administrative duties,” he said.
Martin’s career evolved into the broader field of marketing, where he worked with multiple companies before stepping into a new chapter of leadership.
In 2022, he joined the Northeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, and in April 2024, he became its President and CEO.
Martin is a strong advocate for ACTC, crediting the college with preparing him not just for a career, but for life.
“Over the years, I have watched it grow from one building to state-of-the-art facilities on three campuses,” he said. “The programs and curriculum in place at ACTC can prepare you for your life’s goals you have set. Whether just out of high school or a non-traditional student, they have a place for you to grow and flourish.”
Martin says what stands out most to him is ACTC’s ability to meet students wherever they are, whether they come in with a clear plan or are still figuring out their path.
“While I was a student there, I was pretty sure I knew what I wanted to do,” he said. “What I didn’t grasp until many years later was that my instructors and counselors made sure I also understood how my world was changing, the responsibilities ahead and that I had this entire support team behind me that were not going to let me fail.”
During his time as a student, Martin says he felt supported in ways he only fully understood years later.
“Short conversations after class or in the lounge area proved to be way more than just a chat to say hey…they were coaching me along and showing that education is not just from the books,” he said.
Now, as a leader in his community, Martin strives to pay that support forward by mentoring others, offering guidance, and doing his part to help others grow, just as ACTC once did for him.
Martin was honored with the 2025 Distinguished Alumnus Award at this year’s commencement ceremony, held May 9.
"It is truly an honor to be named this year’s ACTC Distinguished Alumnus,” he said. “I’m grateful for the foundation ACC gave me, and I’m proud to be recognized by a place that played such an important role in my journey."
Written by: Megan Smedley, ACTC strategic communication administrator
