RON MARTZ

Ron Martz is a media relations consultant, specializing in helping businesses develop effective contingency plans for communicating with the various media before, during, and after crises occur.

Poor communications with the public during difficult times can be disastrous for any individual or company, potentially leading to complete ruin. As a former reporter and editor, Mr. Martz brings nearly 40 years of media experience from the other side of the table. He knows the kinds of answers reporters need to help you communicate your message effectively. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Mr. Martz is particularly sensitive to the military and national security. He has reported from more than 25 foreign countries, covering such diverse international and domestic security issues as the:

·         Initial invasion of Iraq in 2003 as an embedded reporter for seven months with U.S. Army forces  

 ·         Incarceration of Taliban and al-Qaida prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (2002)

·         Arrival of U.S. troops in Croatia and Bosnia (winter of 1995-96)

·         Persian Gulf War in Saudi Arabia and Iraq (1990-91)

·         Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan (1988)

·         International drug trade in Burma, Thailand, and South America (1987-88)

·         Contra-Sandinista war in Central America (1984)

In addition, Mr. Martz trained, equipped, and led a team of reporters and photographers for 18 months as they continued coverage of the War on Terrorism.

Before the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Mr. Martz wrote on security preparations for the Games, including issues relating to international and domestic terrorism. He wrote extensively about the bombing of Centennial Olympic Park during the Olympics, as well as the 1995 bombing of the Murrah Federal Center in Oklahoma City. 

Mr. Martz has written four books on military history with notable figures covering topics ranging from covert operations to the wars in Korea, Viet Nam, and Iraq. In addition, he has just finished writing another book, to be published soon, with Lt. General Russel Honoré based on lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina and the general’s life.

In 2004, Mr. Martz was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in two categories for his coverage of the war in Iraq. Over the years, he has been the recipient of numerous awards, including being named Journalist of the Year by the Atlanta Press Club and Cox Newspapers Writer of the Year in 2004. 

Mr. Martz is an active member of Military Reporters and Editors (MRE), having served on the board of directors, as well as vice president and president. He has also lectured on “The Changing Media” to Army Public Affairs officials, and has served on various journalistic panels such as the Society of Professional Journalists discussing issues ranging from media ethics to crisis management. He has also spoken to numerous civic and veterans organizations on the role of the media in society. 

Mr. Martz is the Adjunct Professor of Journalism at North Georgia College and State University. In addition, he is the co-founder with his wife, Mary, of Just the Write Word, LLC, a media consulting firm that also provides technical writing and instructional design services to industries such as network security, telecommunications, and broadband. 

Mr. Martz received his B.A. in Mass Communications from the University of South Florida, and is currently working on his Master’s degree in Military History from Austin Peay State University.  <<