James Martinez brings over two decades of nonprofit leadership, fundraising, and advocacy experience to SALSA. His career highlights include raising millions of dollars for organizations across Texas.
James was the first Texan and Hispanic to be awarded the Vilar Fellowship at the Kennedy Center, later serving as Manager for International Programming, where he directed global cultural exchanges such as the Festival of China. He also played a key role in Smoke-Free San Antonio, leading advocacy that resulted in the passage of the city’s 2009 smoke-free ordinance, and later advanced statewide clean air policies as State Director of Advocacy for the American Lung Association.
A Gulf War era (wartime) veteran of the U.S. Air Force, James served with the 62nd Aerial Port Squadron at McChord Air Force Base and supported logistics and humanitarian airlift missions during Operation Support Hope and Operation Uphold Democracy. James attended the San Antonio College and The University of Phoenix, where he studied Business Marketing with a minor in Fine Arts. He has been recognized as one of the San Antonio Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Rising Stars. Outside of work, he has coached girls’ soccer with Alamo Heights Fort Sam Houston for over 15 years and enjoys spending time with his children: Skylar, Annika, Bella, Ceily, Jules, and Maverick.