New CEO Takes Reins at Donate Life California
West Sacramento, Calif., April 19, 2017 – Long-time Sacramento resident Jim Martin has been named the new CEO of Donate Life California, the nonprofit organization that administers the official state registry for organ, eye and tissue donors.
“With 14 million registrants, California has the largest organ, eye, and tissue donor registry in the world, but currently less than half the population of our state has signed up,” notes Monica Johnson, president of the Donate Life California Board and executive director of Sierra Donor Services, the organ procurement organization serving the Sacramento Valley, located in West Sacramento. “Jim Martin comes to this important statewide position with a strong strategic background in advocacy work and building community partners, as well as fiscal planning, administration and project management. Under his leadership as our new CEO, we know we’ll be able to save even more lives thanks to transplantation.”
Currently, 21,911 Californians – approximately 1 in 5 people on the US Waiting List – need an organ transplant to survive. Last year, 939 Californians became organ donors saving the lives of nearly 3,200 people. Tragically 1,045 people died waiting here because there aren’t enough donors.
“Jim looks forward to continuing our strong collaboration with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and seeking exciting new partnerships for Donate Life California, providing innovative ways for Californians to sign up on the Donate Life Registry,” Johnson added.
Martin says his plan of action as Donate Life California’s new CEO begins with establishing the Donate Life California office in Sacramento and developing a strategic plan to build statewide advocacy. His overarching goal is to increase the number of Californian’s registering as organ, eye and tissue donors, through the DMV and online.
Previously Martin was executive director of Martin’s Achievement Place in Sacramento, a residential treatment program for at-risk foster boys.
“I’ve spent my entire life in the nonprofit service world – serving youth and families. I’m excited to continue serving families by creating opportunities for all Californians to sign up on the Donate Life California Registry and ultimately save lives. Organ, eye, and tissue donation is the ultimate act of humanity,” Martin said.
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