The Ocean Avenue Association is getting a new executive director.
Christian Martin, who has helmed the nonprofit organization charged with managing the Ocean Avenue Community Benefit District since 2023, told The Light on Wednesday that the board of directors is about ready to send an offer letter to a new leader.
“I’ve been working hand in hand with the board to interview and be a part of the process,” Martin said. “This is my final act as executive director, but I’ll still be available as a resource if the board or the staff wants to reach out.”
Martin was hired to guide the board and staff through internal reforms following a scathing audit requested by District 7 Supervisor Myrna Melgar.
The association gets funds from property owners to clean, maintain and promote the retail corridor. Martin said the board of directors was eager to have a full-time executive director after the district was renewed for another 15-year term last year.
Martin said that his time at the association taught him a lot, and he is grateful to have gotten a chance to know the community.
“It’s been an awesome opportunity to work with everybody up here, and I’m just happy that we’re renewed and the organization cleaned up its house and is moving on to brighter days ahead,” Martin said.
In this next chapter, Martin will be focusing on managing a few other cleaning teams throughout the city and running his business, JIA Technologies, which operates an app that several other benefit districts use to manage ambassador teams.
The association recently parted ways with Gabe Cory, the associate executive director Martin brought on. The Light has been told by a board member that Cory is an applicant for the role. Martin said he could not speak about it.
Kath Tsakalakis, the association’s board chair, said they’ve conducted a very robust process with 39 applicants and 15 screened interviews. They are currently narrowing down their final decision and plan to extend an offer to their top pick soon.
“It’s exciting that so many well-qualified people want to support the Ocean Avenue mission and community,” Tsakalakis said.
“The entire community is grateful for Christian for his dedication over the last three years to the mission of a cleaner, safer, and more vibrant Ocean Avenue,” Tsakalakis said.
Tsakalakis said Martin is a terrific leader who will continue to ensure a seamless transition for the new executive director by helping them come up to speed.
