November is National Veteran and Military Families Month, and Sound Transit is honoring all those who have served.
Earlier this month, our employee resource network for veterans raised the POW/MIA ('prisoner of war'/'missing in action') flag outside our headquarters at Union Station in Seattle.
One member of the Veterans ERN, Senior Contracts Specialist Rob McMartin, said he joined the group to "contribute to veteran awareness or other outreach activities that benefit both Sound Transit and external communities."
McMartin is this month's Inside Sound Transit feature, where we introduce you to the people working to make it easier to get to where you live, work and play!
McMartin served in the U.S. Air Force for 10 years. Before joining Sound Transit, he was a Senior Buyer at the Port of Seattle.
We can't thank enough those who sacrificed for our country. And many continue to give their time and energy closer to home. McMartin said he enjoys giving back and making a difference, though his day job at Sound Transit, and as a youth sports coach.
Q: What do you tell your friends you do for worK?
A: For my friends outside of Washington state, I tell them I procure goods and services for a regional transit authority. (I name Sound Transit to my local friends.)
Q: What’s your passion outside of your job?
A: Coaching. I have been a youth sports coach for 27 years. The past 10+ years have been with girls fast pitch, and I am currently the Head Coach for girls softball at Tahoma High School in Maple Valley. Coaching has always been a huge passion for me and it’s my way of giving back to the coaches who invested their time into me.
Q: What attracted you to work at Sound Transit?
A: It was something new; an industry I had not been in before. Moving people via different modes to various places around the region is no easy endeavor and therefore being able to look out and be able to say “I had a part in that” or “ I did the procurement for that” just adds a level of professional satisfaction.
Q: How do you get to work?
A: Well in today’s environment I simply walk downstairs; but prior to the pandemic I would jump on the Sounder from Auburn Station.
Q: What three things would you take with you to a desert island (besides food and water)?
A: That’s a good question. I think I would have to bring my fishing gear, my surfboard and my family of course.