October 30, 2018

John Martin Inducted into Junior Achievement Hall of Fame

On Tuesday, October 30, John Martin was honored as a 2018 Junior Achievement Hall of Fame Laureate. Laureates inducted into the hall of fame are among the most esteemed leaders in their communities. Through their actions and accomplishments, they serve as role models for young people.

As a Junior Achievement Hall of Fame Laureate, John has experienced a high level of business success and has established a legacy of leadership within his industry and the Cedar Valley community.

From a young age, John showed his business drive and dedication. He started working just outside the doors of Martin Bros. at the age of 11, selling lemonade to passing salespeople. The next year, he was checking coats at the first Martin Bros. Food Show. Before taking the leadership reigns from his father at Martin Bros. in 1988, he had a degree in Marketing from the University of Northern Iowa and a drive to foster best practices in the food service industry as well as invest in marketing, technology, new lines of distribution and Martin Bros. employees themselves.

“I tried to create a workplace where entrepreneurs could thrive,” said John, “a workplace that was one big team where you and your opinions mattered and made a difference.”

“John was not afraid to take risks,” said Diane Chandler, Martin Bros. Executive Vice President, “and he surrounded himself with a wide variety of good people and let them lead.”

John has also long served the community and youth through his love for athletics. He served as a volunteer assistant coach for the Cedar Falls High School men’s basketball team for 17 years and founded the Martin Bros. Select AAU basketball team, which has allowed many young local athletes to showcase their talent and in many cases capitalize on scholarship opportunities.

John has received many other distinctions and served in many other ways including as President of the International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA), an IFDA Hall of Fame recipient and a member of a think tank group that met at the White House for President George W. Bush during a spike in fuel prices.

John’s vision backed by action will serve as an inspiration for generations to come.

Martin Bros. Distributing Co., Inc. is a full-line, family-owned food service distributor serving Iowa and surrounding states with inspirational and innovative solutions. The company offers state-of-the-art distributing, nutritional tools, culinary advising, menu design and much more.

For more information on Martin Bros., visit www.martinbros.com.

STORY SOURCE: Martin Bros., 6623 Chancellor Drive, Cedar Falls, IA 50613

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