Reach Out and Read, a leading national organization that embeds literacy promotion into pediatric care, is pleased to announce Marty Martinez as Chief Executive Officer. Appointed by the Reach Out and Read Board of Directors, Martinez will succeed Brian Gallagher on February 14, 2022.
In his most recent role as Chief of Health and Human Services for the City of Boston, Martinez led the city in meeting the needs of its citizens during the course of some of the most pressing contemporary social and community challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to that, he served as president and CEO of Mass Mentoring Partnership, where he led hundreds of mentoring and youth development programs across Massachusetts.
“I am excited to join Reach Out and Read in the next chapter of the story of this amazing organization. I am looking forward to working with the committed staff, board members, affiliate leaders, volunteers and supporters as we continue to lead our efforts to strengthen healthy child development and build stronger communities across the country,” said Martinez.
Martin J. Walsh, Secretary of Labor and former Mayor of the City of Boston, said of Martinez’s appointment, “Marty Martinez is not only a strong leader and a great manager, but he is deeply committed to strengthening communities by lifting those who need it most. I saw it firsthand when he worked for me at City Hall as the Chief of Health and Human Services. Reach Out and Read is lucky to have him bring those skills to their workplace and I look forward to seeing the impact of his work across the country.”
Reach Out and Read aims to give every young child in the United States a foundation for success, strengthen society, and help combat the effects of income inequality by sharing the power of reading with families of all backgrounds and economic means. In fact, the program model has the potential to reach 90% of all children in the United States through well-child visits, beginning at birth.
