Eric Martinez

Eric Martinez

Name: Eric Martinez
Title: Principal
Company: Booz Allen Hamilton
Headquarters: McLean, Virginia

Education: BS in chemistry; graduate studies in a master-doctorate program in systems management; and a certificate in business strategy
What I’m Reading: Love ’Em or Lose ’Em, Getting Good People to Stay by Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordan-Evans
My Philosophy: Core Values and Truth above All
Away from Work, I: Spend time with family, like to help people, and watch sports

How My Heritage Values Fuel My Success: Faith and family are at the forefront of my values. I also believe in being truthful to yourself and to others, and in having morals above reproach. I appreciate that Booz Allen has given me a sense of fulfillment—the feeling that I’ve accomplished something and that I’ve helped many people directly or indirectly. The firm also has given me tools that I can use to guide not only my career, but also my life.

How My Company Supports Me…and How I Pay it Forward: During my 17+ years at Booz Allen, numerous programs and initiatives helped me grow as a leader and an individual. The firm’s diversity agendas—such as the Latin Forum and the Hispanic Agenda—also provide me with opportunities to volunteer and help others. Since 2007, I’ve been a member of Booz Allen’s Hispanic Agenda Leadership Team, which drives the firm’s strategy for the recruitment, retention, and development of Hispanics. I also serve as the sponsor for the firm’s relationship with Great Minds in STEM (formerly Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Corporation), which shapes the strategy to engage Hispanic staff and recruit Hispanic talent. At their 2013 and 2014 HENAAC Conferences, I moderated the Senior Executive Session and mentored young Hispanics in STEM. I have been a key player in shaping the strategy and recruiting Hispanics on college campuses, including at the University of Puerto Rico. In the community, I dedicate my time and talents to supporting fellow Hispanics. For more than three years, I served on the board of Safety, Awareness, Resources, Change, a nonprofit that works to end domestic and sexual violence and stalking, and to aid victims of abuse. I also served as a mentor with the Boys and Girls Club of Harford County for more than 10 years.

The Best Career Advice I’ve Received and the Advice I Offer Others: The best advice that mentors have given me is to always be yourself, and to listen first, listen more, and talk less. You can learn a great deal about what to do, and what not to do, from watching others. It’s critical to build a great network and to mentor others to help them grow. One of the first things I recommend to anyone coming to Booz Allen is to find a mentor. I have several, and they’ve been instrumental in my professional growth as consultant, leader, and manager. Your managers are your first guides, but it’s also good to have formal mentors from outside your team and confidantes you can talk with about career issues.