Orlando L. Martinez

Founder and Senior Partner

On May 6, 1999, Orlando L. Martinez was sworn in as Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice by then Governor Roy Barnes. From that time until August 2003, Martinez led the Agency through a period of progressive change. The appointment followed some thirty-four years involvement in planning and/or managing programs that serve youth and their families. Some of the more significant achievements while Commissioner in Georgia are:

• Regionalization of Departmental services to bring resources closer to the youth andfamily
• The development and construction of prototype detention and treatment facilities
• Maximizing the Department’s eligibility for federal and other fund sources
• Redesign of the Department’s Performance Management System and improved employee selection through video based testing
• Integrated Classification System for placement and treatment of juveniles
• Full compliance with all federal and state regulations regarding special education in Department detention and treatment facilities

After serving seventeen (17) years as Director of Colorado’s Division of Youth Services, Martinez retired in 1992. During his tenure with Colorado, Martinez spearheaded a $32 million fast-track construction project to replace unsafe, obsolete juvenile institutions and detention centers, simultaneously leading statewide juvenile justice reform efforts. In addition, Martinez oversaw the implementation of a system of accountability based on American Correctional Association standards.

From 1992 until May 1999, Mr. Martinez was sole proprietor of Martinez & Associates. Martinez provided juvenile justice consultation to both public and private sectors during this time, and completed projects in seventeen states. He also served as a court monitor in the cases of Horton vs. Williams in the State of Washington and United States verses the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.