Mr. David S Martin

biography

David S. Martin, Managing Partner of Sterling Martin Associates, has three decades of professional experience, including national executive recruitment, nonprofit leadership, and in the Fortune 500 world with Georgia-Pacific Corporation. Since starting his executive search career in 1989, David has held senior-level positions with such global search firms as Korn/Ferry International and has launched new offices in Washington, DC, Atlanta, GA, and Irvine, CA. He founded Sterling Martin Associates in 2006.

Prominent nonprofit clients have included NACE International, Toy Industry Association, American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education (AFPE), Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), and Children’s Hospital Association, among others . Corporate clients have included such blue chip companies as The Coca-Cola Company, Georgia-Pacific Corporation, and Sara Lee Corporation.

David has conducted searches in a broad range of executive leadership positions at the “C-suite level” such as President/CEO and Executive Directors. He has also conducted senior staff searches such as Chief Financial Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, Chief Innovation Officer, and Chief Development Officer.

On the volunteer side, David served on the Board of Directors of Good360 (formerly Gifts In Kind International), a leading international nonprofit organization, for nine years before “term-limiting” off the Board in March of 2014. While there, he completed a pro bono search for Good360’s Board Chair, recruiting Ms. Carly Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, to the position.

Through his extensive involvement as a board member, Search Committee member, and volunteer leader, David brings a unique perspective to his association clients, providing first-hand experience with the particular issues and unique challenges of nonprofits, professional and trade associations, and educational institutions in recruiting top executives.

David has been a presenter at ASAE’s Great Ideas conference and regularly attends national meetings for professional development, to build his network, and to stay up-to-date on the most current issues facing associations. Recent conferences include the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Association of Fundraising Professionals, BoardSource® and Independent Sector.

David holds a BA from the University of Vermont and pursued his MBA at the University at Albany-SUNY.