Share:

Lancer Radio’s debut of the weekly veterans issue segment, Veterans Voice of America, featured an interview with PCC alumnus, Army veteran and Los Angeles City Council hopeful Rudy Martinez on Feb. 24. Martinez gained statewide attention for earning an endorsement from the Los Angeles Times for the District 14 City Council seat. The Times told Martinez his was the first non-incumbent endorsement in memory.

Student veterans Magdalena Sanchez Curiel and John Samuel said it was both Martinez’s past service in the Army and his reputation as a small businessman taking on City Hall that inspired the interview. Martinez said he was happy to oblige.

According to Martinez, he had a troubled childhood and felt the Army is what prepared him for the success he enjoys today. After graduating high school, he attended two semesters at PCC before realizing the Army was right for him.

“I was one of these kids who thought I knew it all,” said Martinez.

“Nineteen years old, growing up with a tough childhood in a rough neighborhood, my sister doing drugs, my brother in gangs. [The Army] put me in my place,” he said.

Martinez said his military service taught him the importance of and respect for people and community. Yet he finished his service without a clear idea of what to do next.

“When I was done with my military service, I had the discipline but didn’t know where my life was going to take me,” said Martinez.

It was his brother who introduced Martinez to construction work that set him on the road to success.

“It was tough times back in the late ’80s. There wasn’t a lot of work. We would follow construction trucks leaving lumberyards. [We knew] where the lumber was going there was work, ” said Martinez.

Martinez has since become an entrepreneur. He owns a construction company and a restaurant and bar in his hometown, Eagle Rock.

President of the PCC Veterans Club Magdalena Sanchez Curiel said that Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans had benefits available that could assist them in starting a new business. Martinez said he planned to work with veterans in his community if he elected.

“It’s so important we embrace the veterans,” said Martinez. “We have to encourage [the veterans] to come work with us.”

He said he would encourage them to open businesses in the District 14 community.

“I have this TV show called Flip This House (on cable station A&E) and there’s an incredible housing market out there,” Martinez said. “I want to encourage veterans to use their benefits to buy homes.”

Martinez said his priority for District 14 was to bring more businesses and home ownership back to community and saw veterans as an integral part of that process. He hoped new and older veterans would volunteer for a youth program he planned to implement for their abilities to mentor and share life experiences.

“They could really help kids that are lost, as I was at that [age],” Martinez said.

John Samuel, the host of Veterans Voice of America, commended Martinez for his successes after his military service.

“You exemplify the fact that you can go in the military, come out and become a successful businessman,” Samuel said.

Samuel plans to have women veteran guests discuss their military experience on VVoA on Thursday. The show will stream live at www.lancerradio.org from noon – 1 p.m.

Follow: