Q&A with the City's Debi Martin: A lifetime of service

VeloCityOKC spoke with the City of Oklahoma City's Debi Martin to discuss her time working with the agency, their greatest accomplishments, and her advise for those looking to help continue to build Oklahoma City.

VeloCityOKC: Fifty years of service in any organization is nearly unheard of, but especially rare in public service. What drew you to your first position with the City of Oklahoma City and what has kept you? 

The first class of Oklahoma City Council that Debi Martin worked for in 1987.

Debi Martin: My first position with the City of Oklahoma City was a criminal justice planner. The entity was a grant-funded program through the Department of Justice. We served all 16 municipalities within Oklahoma County. We developed programs, provided funding and analyzed operational deficits of all components of the criminal justice system – police departments, district attorney, probation services, courts, legal defense services, et cetera – to ensure the system functioned to the benefit of our residents and those who were part of the system. My original plan was to remain in the position for two to three years, but I found the opportunity to make a difference with each new assignment and project. Time began to pass from two years to four, then five years, and then 10. My goal of making a difference and to serve for the benefit of our residents has always been of the utmost importance in my mind.  

You’ve seen so many leaders come and go throughout your time. What are some of the best leadership lessons you’ve learned? 

While dependent on the people’s trust, former Oklahoma City mayors Jim Norick and Ron Norick had the courage and commitment to make decisions to do what was best for OKC, to secure our future water supply and to revitalize our city through MAPS. With over 35 years in this office, I could provide countless examples of leadership skills by each and every council member specific to zoning requests, development of policy and economic development projects. I have had, and still currently have, the best as my leaders, teachers and mentors. Essential to public service is a sense of caring and the compassion of a servant’s heart, along with exhibiting the highest level of honor and integrity.  

While in the council office, I have worked directly for and with 40 council members to date. Each one has approached their duties and responsibilities in a variety of ways, with diverse leadership skills including critical thinking, fiscal responsibility, vision, creativity, innovation, problem solving, public engagement, accountability, listening skills, execution skills, resiliency, hope and consensus building. Each possessed strong communication skills and networks. Personal and business relationships, and a thorough knowledge of the community and resident concerns, are essential to being an effective official and developing sound policy.  

My work for and with the city council on special projects, duties as assigned and day-to-day activities has allowed me to refine my leadership and soft skills both on a personal and professional level.  

You’re involved in many education and youth programs as well. What drives your community involvement beyond City Hall? 

My focus has always been on human capital investment with a focus and commitment to all people in our community. Our children and elderly are both very high-risk populations, and they often do not have a voice. My goal has been to create the path for their voices, while creating a community where youth would choose to live, work, play and raise a family. We educate our youth, but they often attend out-of-state schools and do not return to OKC. Retirements and workforce shifts require that we be intentional in creating a community that these young people want to call home.  

My goal is to ensure our young people are prepared for adult life, receive a quality education, possess character and life skills, understand healthy traits and have the opportunity to reach their potential. First Tee was a natural for me as my son and my daughter played golf and competed on the mini tour levels. It has been my privilege to provide life skills and healthy starts curriculum to metro children and observe firsthand the impacts of those efforts. The Youth Council served more than 350 youth in 20 years, and some of these youths have become leaders in our city, including chair of the Planning Commission, Downtown Design Committee, and a respected attorney in the Municipal Counselor’s office. I am so proud to have been part of their journey to achieving success as an adult.  

During the Resolution of Commendation, Mayor Holt and the City Council shared their appreciation for you and your service to our city. What would you say are some of your greatest accomplishments? 

Great accomplishments are not about an individual, but about partnership and the team, whether it’s a city, community or business. Together, we accomplish so much. When former Mayor Norick proposed the MAPS program, it was a great opportunity and privilege to join the mayor and staff in effectively communicating the MAPS story to voters. I did my part, and we are now in the implementation phase for MAPS 4. 

Debi Martin (middle) after receiving the Stanley Draper Award.

Serving during and after the Murrah bombing was memorable and impactful as this event negatively impacted our residents and families. I was so humbled to serve families and be present for them during a very difficult time. I was provided the opportunity to represent our city when greeting national officials, to work with two presidential advance teams and to co-chair the first anniversary. I could not be prouder of our entire community for their response to this tragedy. It's a part of our history that has changed me forever.  

I joined many criminal justice professionals to create programs, identify operational procedure and policy improvements, provide funding for program and service expansions, research and review best practices to improve the criminal justice system, and help achieve positive outcomes. 

One of my greatest honors has been to serve as the OKC Liaison for the mayor and council to the USS Oklahoma City submarine. I frequently communicate with each commander, and I have the privilege to call them friends. These naval personnel have been great ambassadors for our city. Our frequent communication and their namesake visits were an opportunity for them to get to know our city and consider OKC their adopted home. I was overwhelmed by the recent Navy League commendation award. 

Networking is relationship building. I call many individuals in our community friends and being able to match individuals to a common cause is the most satisfying. Individuals will call, “Debi, I've got a problem.” I respond, “I know someone, let me connect you,” and the issue is resolved.  

And lastly, it's been working with our community, businesses and nonprofit organizations to create the city we know today. From the early days, I was privileged to work with Jack Cornett on the First Americans Museum designation and help secure federal funding. I assisted Carolyn Hill, and the OKC Museum of Art, with the renovation and with securing grant funds. The opportunities to serve and assist the council were and are numerous. It is all about teamwork and the strengths of the collective to achieve success.  

What are some of your fondest memories of your career? 

To be a positive catalyst for change! My life has been touched by many on the city, state and national level. I am honored to call them friends. 

This was God’s calling for my life. Each council member, mayor, city manager, employee, resident, business, community, developer and business leader have made an indelible impact on my life.  

My memories with the council members and their families are a treasure. I regret the loss of many friends: I.G. Purser, Mark Schwartz, Jack Cornett, Jim Scott, Goree James, Jackie Carey, Frosty Peak, Sam Bowman, Pat Ryan, Willa Johnson, Walt Morris and Frances Lowrey. Many attended my 50th, including former Mayor Norick, Gary Marrs, James Greiner, Brent Rinehart, Jerry Foshee, Brian Walters, Beverly Hodges, John Pettis, Lee Cooper and Guy Liebmann. I will forever be grateful for all who have and are currently serving our city.  

When I came to OKC in 1972, our streets and community life ended at 5 p.m. each workday, especially on Friday. Now I see a vibrant city with a strong sense of community. I recall my first tour of Bricktown in the 1980s, and it was a dismal place. MAPS 3 brought life, energy and revitalization. From that rebirth, we began to see other places in our city change, and public/private partnerships were formed that changed the landscape of our city.  

The people in our city make OKC such a special place. They are our greatest asset. We come together with a resilient spirit to meet and respond to each disaster or challenge.  

What excites you about the future of Oklahoma City? 

(Front row, left to right) Marje Feighny, Beverly Hodges, Debi Martin, Meg Salyer (Top row, left to right) Nikki Nice, Barbara Young, JoBeth Hamon

The future is dependent on our collective team effort. I am excited about the future of the river and downtown with the activity and life you can see every day and at all hours. I love the energy, commitment, engagement and diversity in our city. I want to experience life in OKC with my children and grandchildren. We are a great city, but we can’t afford to rest on our laurels. We must move forward strategically. The increase in our population affords us new opportunities to reach forward and upward.  

What advice would you give those interested in getting involved in helping to improve our city, whether it’s running for office or serving on a community organization’s board? 

Get involved, be strategic and intentional, and remember our history and experiences as you are making decisions about the future. A community reflects those in public service, so be a community of public servants. Know our city, understand and value residents’ concerns, volunteer, build a network and engage. Never stop learning and ultimately growing. Make a difference! It takes a village to raise our next generation.  

Thank you so much for your time. Is there anything else you’d like to share? 

In closing, I would like to thank each council member, mayor, city manager, resident, business leader, developer, community leader, nonprofit leader, my city family, and my children and grandchildren for the opportunity to serve with compassion and care. I am better personally and professionally because of knowing and working with each of you, and your friendship is valued. I'm honored, humbled and blessed. 

I am unsure of the date I will close this chapter of my life, but I am confident that I am fulfilling God’s plan for my life. Until that date, I am here to serve and participate in building a great city for my family and our residents. I learn something new each day. When we stop learning, we stop growing!