John W. Martin is a Managing Partner and Owner of S.I.R., serving as a senior strategist on the firm's most complex economic development, infrastructure, and public-sector engagements. He has spent 23 years at S.I.R. and brings more than 45 years of professional experience spanning strategy, communications, and implementation.

Over the course of his career, John has worked alongside governors, city managers, economic development leaders, utility executives, and major employers to help communities think clearly about competitiveness, infrastructure investment, and long-term positioning.

He is frequently engaged when the stakes are high and leadership teams must navigate difficult tradeoffs under public scrutiny, and he is a national and international keynote speaker on community and economic development trends and digital infrastructure development.

Earlier in his career, John worked in advertising and led economic development marketing efforts for Fairfax County, the Virginia Department of Economic Development (VEDP's predecessor), and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. That experience continues to shape his work today: disciplined, research-based story making (case for investment), credibility with decision-makers, and narratives grounded in evidence rather than hype.

At S.I.R., John is known for connecting economic development, workforce, infrastructure, energy, and governance initiatives into a coherent strategy that leaders can clearly articulate and confidently implement.

He lives in Richmond and Norfolk and remains an avid outdoorsman, spending as much time as possible on the water, chasing solar eclipses, and traveling to World Heritage sites.