Division of Military and Naval Affairs Budget Director Rob Martin, an Albany resident, retires after 33 years of state service

Photo By Eric Durr | Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, presents a retirement plaque to Mr. Robert Martin, the director of budget and finance for the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs during his retirement ceremony at New York National Guard headquarters in Lathem, New York on October 28. Martin, who served in his position since 2022, is retiring after more than 30 years of New York State Service. (Division of Military and Naval Affairs photograph by Eric Durr)  

LATHAM, NY, UNITED STATES

10.31.2022

Story by Eric Durr 

New York National Guard

Latham, NY — Robert Martin, an Albany resident, who served as the Director of Budget and Finance for the New York State Division of Military and Naval Affairs, has retired after 33 years as a New York State employee.

Martin was honored during a retirement ceremony held at New York National Guard headquarters in Latham on October 28.

The Division of Military and Naval Affairs is the state agency which has responsibility for the New York Army and Air National Guard, the New York Naval Militia, and the New York Guard state volunteer defense force, a total force of about 20,000 personnel.

Martin has served as the director of budget for the agency since 2000. During that period, he oversaw the expenditures of millions of dollars in funds in support of New York National Guard responses to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001; major hurricanes in 2011 and 2012; and massive New York National Guard response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He also oversaw funds spent for Joint Task Force Empire Shield, a 700-member National Guard security force in New York City.

Martin ensured that thousands of National Guard Soldiers on duty were lodged, fed, and provided with vital supplies in a timely manner.

He was also responsible for overseeing the Division of Military and Naval Affairs $200 million annual budget. And played a key role in purchasing patrol boats for the New York Naval Militia's Military Emergency Boat Service.

Martin was praised by Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general of New York, for his efforts to ensure that Soldiers and Airmen were paid and provided for over the years.

"You have earned the respect and appreciation of the thousands of Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen, and the New York Guard and of our civilian employees across the state," Shields said.

Shields presented Martin with the New York State Conspicuous Service Medal in recognition of his service.

Martin was also honored by members of the New York Naval Militia who have been working in his office during the pandemic to help keep track of the amount of funds spent.

The Naval Militia members conducted a naval retirement ceremony for Martin, to include ringing a ship's bell to signal his retirement.

Martin's career in New York State government began in 1989 when he worked as an aid to State Senator Tarky Lombardi, the head of the State Senate Finance Committee.

In 1992 he was appointed as an associate budget analyst for the State Senate Finance Committee. At the same time, he was a local business owner in Albany and served as the secretary of the Lark Street Business Improvement District.

In his remarks, Martin praised the people who worked for him, as well as the men and women of the New York National Guard and the agency's civilian employees.

Everybody works incredibly hard to support the troops and accomplish the mission, Martin said.

He also praised his husband Paul Martin, a graphic artist and professional photographer, for his support on the days when he came home late from work.

Martin holds a degree from Oswego State University and is also a graduate of the Rockefeller Leadership Institute.

• Date Taken: 10.31.2022
• Date Posted: 10.31.2022 13:37
• Story ID: 432347
• Location: LATHAM, NY, US