Ed Martin Automotive Buys Naming Rights at McKenzie

IMG_0085The Ed Martin Automotive Group has been involved in the automotive careers program at the McKenzie Center for Innovation & Technology for many years. Upon the passing of Ed Martin ten years ago , the company moved to the hands of his daughters, Kathy Martin-Harrison and Nancy Martin-Pressley. To honor both their father and the district, they started a scholarship program for a graduating senior who is moving on to post secondary education to pursue an automotive career in technology or business. The scholarship is through the Lawrence Township School Foundation, of which Kathy Harrison is a former board member, and is offered once a year and is given out at the Senior Awards night in the spring. All three Martin children are graduates of Lawrence Township Schools.

In 2014, Harrison met with district staff to learn the latest in the auto tech program and discuss how her family might further their commitment to both the school district and the automotive profession. Conversation was held around ongoing program needs, and a need for updated

equipment. According to Harrison, “The McKenzie auto careers program is already an amazing program. We want to help catapult them to a new level with the latest in technology and equipment. We have loved working with Donnie Sheets and Clarence McGowen who run first class programs over the years.”

Upon further family reflection and a collaborative planning process with the district, an agreement was reached. The Automotive Services Program at McKenzie will be renamed, “The Ed Martin Automotive Group Automotive Careers Training Center at the McKenzie Center for Innovation and Technology.”

Along with these naming rights, Ed Martin will be making an annual $75,000.00 gift to the program each of the next five years for a total of $375,000.00. This agreement was voted on and announced at the November 16th school board meeting.

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