Dr. Kay Martin is the 2007 recipient of the Francis Tuttle Career Excellence Award, the highest honor given by the Oklahoma Association of Career and Technology Education. The award was presented Aug. 1 at the 40th Annual Career and Technology Education Summer Conference at the Tulsa Convention Center.
Martin has served as superintendent and chief executive office of Francis Tuttle Technology Center since December 1996. She has held several management positions since 1982.
Oklahoma ACTE is the professional organization for the state's CareerTech administrators, teachers, and staff members. The award was established in 1985 in honor of Francis Tuttle, former state director of the Oklahoma Department of Vocational and Technical Education and “architect” of what is now called the CareerTech system. The award recognizes individuals whose careers exemplify Tuttle’s dedication to the development of people through career and technology education.
“Dr. Martin is responsible for the development of programs and services that provide a industry-based learning environment helping maintain and support a world class workforce and prepare people for success in the workplace,” according to CareerTech Director Phil Berkenbile. “Under her leadership, Francis Tuttle Technology Center has been awarded the Oklahoma Award for Commitment to Quality and has been an applicant for the Baldrige National Quality Program.”
Martin is recognized both statewide and nationally as a leader in CareerTech education serving in a leadership capacity on numerous boards and groups including Leadership Edmond, Leadership Oklahoma City and Leadership Oklahoma. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Automotive Youth Educational System (AYES), as past president of the National Council of Local Administrators and past president of the OK Technology Centers Superintendent's Association.
Previously named the Oklahoma Outstanding Administrator and the Oklahoma Association for Career and Technology Educations Educator of the Year and Outstanding Administrator, she is a two-time nominee for the Journal Record's Woman of the Year Award; and most recently was inducted into the 2007 Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame.
Prior to Martin’s employment with Francis Tuttle, she was an assistant professor of marketing for the University of Central Arkansas. She received her doctorate from Ohio State University majoring in vocational education, teacher education, marketing and research; master’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas majoring in business education; and bachelor’s degree from Emporia Kansas University majoring in business education and her Oklahoma Superintendent’s credentials from Oklahoma State University.