Martens takes the spot once held by Don Elwick, who resigned in May after 18 years with the chamber.
Martens is currently a secretary at Eastside Elementary in Sallisaw, but her previous experience includes chamber work. She was executive director of the Skiatook Chamber of Commerce for two and a half years before moving to Sallisaw last year after her husband, Ernie Martens, accepted the position of principal at Sallisaw High School. Martens spent from Feb. 2001 to July 2003 with the Skiatook chamber.
"I'm very excited," Martens said.
Martens said her first priority will be to get out and visit with chamber members to see their needs and see what they feel the chamber needs to do.
Martens said another goal is to establish more community activities to help build community spirit and morale, while also involving the downtown merchants. She said she has heard of interest in renewing a festival, and hopes by next fall, a festival will be possible. She also has some beautification projects in mind for the downtown area, Martens said.
Martens said building up chamber membership will also be her focus. She said establishing more activities will give businesses incentive to become chamber members. She said chamber members need to have input into the chamber and what they want to see being done in the community.
"I'm just here to facilitate what they want to do," Martens said.
Martens said she is open to new ideas and events.
"I'm anxious to get out and meet everyone," Martens said.
Martens said she a lot of great things have been done in Sallisaw, and she would like to continue that and capitalize on those things.
Martens emphasized that the members are the backbone of the chamber.
"It's their chamber," Martens said. "Everyone has a voice. Everyone is important."
She said she also wants to involve the schools in the community with the chamber and chamber activities.
"It takes all of us to make it work and make it work right," Martens said.
Martens said she has enjoyed working at Eastside, but with her past chamber experience, she feels she her skills are better suited with the chamber.
"We are thoroughly enjoying this community," Martens said.
She said she and her husband do not have children at home so they are able to be more involved in the community.
Martens grew up in Shawnee, and she and her husband have two children, a daughter who is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma in Norman, and a son who is attending Bacone College in Muskogee on a football scholarship.
"I'm not from here, but it's my hometown too," Martens said.
Martens said she wants what's best for the community, and she will have an open-door policy at the chamber to encourage everyone to stop in and share their ideas.
Martens educational background includes various courses at Murray State College in Tishomingo, Cameron University in Lawton, and Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.
"We are very fortunate to have someone like Judy," Dwight Spencer, chamber president, said.
Spencer said Martens came in high regard from Skiatook, and her chamber and public relations experience is what the chamber was looking for.
"We're so fortunate to have her, and we're glad she's here," Spencer said.
The chamber received 22 applications for the position, including a mix of local and out-of-town applicants.
Spencer said Marten's energy level and excitement is high.
"She's kind of contagious," Spencer said.
Spencer said Martens' focus is how to make the chamber better.
"That was great to hear," Spencer said. "She said, 'This is my home.'"
