Public service centers on leadership, responsibility and making a tangible impact on the community. For Jon Martin ’05, his path into state government was shaped by these values, with his time at the School of Public Policy providing the critical foundation. Today, as chief deputy treasurer for the State of Maryland, Martin is responsible for overseeing the state’s finances and plays a key role in ensuring its long-term fiscal health.
Martin credits the School with playing a critical role in launching his public service career. Through the project course, he collaborated with the Maryland Department of Legislative Services on a portion of the state budget. The experience provided valuable insights into government operations and the legislative process, leading to his subsequent hiring by DLS and marking the start of his journey in Maryland state government.
Martin’s commitment to public service has always been guided by a strong sense of leadership. In a policy leadership class, he was tasked with identifying which leadership style best suited him. “I have continued to carry forward that leadership type—servant leadership—throughout my career.”
His studies didn’t just stop at leadership. His public finance classes helped set a strong foundation for his career. Through various projects, including a research initiative on housing, Martin was able to gain a better understanding of the workings of state and local government.
In his current role as chief deputy treasurer, Martin plays an essential part in bridging federal, state and local policy. “The state provides a number of important services and is the middle layer between the federal and local government,” said Martin. “At the state level, I find there to be an interesting intersection between federal policy and local policy that I am not sure one would necessarily have in another area of government.”
For current policy students considering careers in public finance or government, Martin has some advice. “Put your education to practical use while in school,” he advised. “Expose yourself to different research and internship opportunities. … Any job in public finance or government will take some on-the-job learning.”
In a field that’s constantly evolving, especially in areas like budgeting, debt management and infrastructure investment, Martin stays ahead of the curve by engaging with colleagues, attending conferences and reading. He believes that being open to new ideas and maintaining a curiosity are crucial for the next generation of public policy leaders.
“Finding ways to get outside of the bubble you normally work within to be exposed to new ideas is important,” shared Martin. “Ultimately, having a curious mind, coupled with the ability to communicate ideas and complex problems I think will be most beneficial to students.”