Outgoing FGCU president Mike Martin to be interim president and CEO of SWFL Collaboratory

Nikki Ross, Fort Myers News-Press
·2 min read
Florida Gulf Coast University president Mike Martin speaks to about 200 people gathered at the Water School for a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Florida Gulf Coast University president Mike Martin speaks to about 200 people gathered at the Water School for a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Mike Martin, outgoing Florida Gulf Coast University president, will take over as interim president and CEO of Collaboratory on July 1.

“I hope to assist the great crew at the Collaboratory to continue their important work during this period of transition,” said Martin.

Martin will step into the role that is being vacated by Sarah Owen, who was at the helm of the organization for 12 years. While Owen announced her departure from the organization in late March, she has continued to work to find a suitable replacement.

Over the next few months, Martin will work with the Collaboratory board to continue the search for the organization's permanent leadership.

“Dr. Martin’s involvement in local, state and national boards and organizations spans decades of service,” said Gail Markham, vice chair of Collaboratory Board of Trustees. “We are incredibly fortunate that he has decided to stay active in local boards and vital issues. We are looking forward to him guiding the Collaboratory team with his experience and leadership while we secure our next CEO.”

What is Collaboratory?

Founded in 1976 as the Southwest Florida Community Foundation, Collaboratory is an organization focused on solving social problems in Southwest Florida. Problems it works to combat are homelessness, poverty, mental illness, illiteracy and more. Since it was founded, it has made over $100 million in grants and is home to more than 400 philanthropic funds.

Who is Mike Martin?

Since 2017, Martin has served as FGCU's fourth president. He was originally set to retire from his post at the end of 2022, but stayed on through June 30 in order for the university to find its fifth president. Aysegul Timur was ultimately chosen on May 4. Her appointment is pending Florida Board of Governors confirmation.

Before his time at FGCU, Martin served as Chancellor Emeritus and Senior Fellow at Colorado State University. He was also previously Chancellor of Louisiana State University; President of New Mexico State University; Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources at University of Florida; Vice President for Agricultural Policy at University of Minnesota; and served 15 years on the faculty, including a term as Faculty Senate president, at Oregon State University.

Martin hails from Minnesota where he earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in economics at what is now known as Minnesota State University, previously Mankato State College. In 1977 he received his Ph.D. in applied economics at University of Minnesota. His areas of specialization are prices, international trade, public policy, transportation and business logistics.

This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: FGCU's Mike Martin to take over as president, CEO of Collaboratory