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October 12, 2007 > News > Rice hires Government Relations Director

Rice hires Government Relations Director

By Caroline May | Thresher staff

Ray Martinez began work as Director of Government Relations in Rice’s Office of Public Affairs Oct. 8.

Martinez will work to increase the financial resources available to Rice by accumulating grants from state, federal and private entities.

“I want to focus on establishing a more coordinated effort with regard to how we deal with public officials,” Martinez said. “We need an effective and organized approach toward seeking funds from all areas.”

Martinez said he will act as an ambassador for Rice, raising and maintaining the school’s status and reputation in the public and private sectors. Dividing his time between Houston, Austin and Washington, D.C., Martinez will act as a voice for Rice’s interests at both the federal and state levels.

Prior to his position at Rice, Martinez ran a government affairs business in Austin.

“Rice has asked me to take my experience on the state and federal level and use that knowledge to achieve an ambitious agenda aimed at increasing the school’s portfolio,” he said.

Martinez said his first task will be to familiarize himself with Rice.

Building relationships through the community and through all ranks of government will be vital to enacting Rice’s visions for the future. Martinez said that networking and communication are essential to that end.

“I am concerned with more than just funding,” Martinez said. “We need to make sure key officials, federal, state and philanthropic grant-making bodies get to know Rice and our capabilities. The Public Affairs team is the face of Rice, and it is our job to represent the University.”

Martinez said he is enthusiastic about getting involved with the community and listening to ideas, suggestions and concerns. Despite his position as an administrator, Martinez said he does have plans to frequent residential college dining halls and become familiar with students.

Martinez has had experience in government relations ranging from the state to federal level. He is a lawyer by training, with a law degree from the University of Houston. He worked for Bill Clinton’s presidential campaigns and served on Clinton’s White House Staff twice.

While under Clinton, Martinez worked with Donna Shalala, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. His earlier jobs include working for Texas State Representative Sylvester Turner and the Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott.

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