Company: SCRA, Charleston, SC
Company Description: SCRA is a global leader in applied research and commercialization services with its headquarters in South Carolina. SCRA collaborates to advance technology, providing knowledge-based solutions with assured outcomes to industry and government, with the help of research universities in SC, the US and around the world.
Nomination Category: Management Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Executive of the Year - Non-Profit or Government Organizations

Nomination Title: Julia Martin, CFO

Tell the story about what this nominee achieved since January 1 2013 (up to 525 words). Focus on specific accomplishments, and relate these accomplishments to past performance or industry norms. Be sure to mention obstacles overcome, innovations or discoveries made, and outcomes:

Words cannot do justice to all that Julia Martin, SCRA’s Chief Financial Officer, has accomplished since 2013. Under Julia’s leadership, SCRA had its best financial performance in its 30 year history. Record revenues, up 25% from 2012, indicate strong performance. Record backlog of $533 million is an indicator of stability and future growth. 2013 also brought the $23 million sale of SCRA’s Applied Research building to Boeing. SCRA’s financial successes allow the company to execute its economic development mission, and in 2013 the company’s economic development program, SC Launch, made 21 investments in South Carolina-based high-tech startups. Julia serves as the treasurer for SC Launch and sits on the board as well. Under her leadership, SC Launch had a banner year in 2013, attracting an Israeli company to the state and helping program companies attract follow-on funding and investments.

Julia is a proven leader – both within SCRA and in outside organizations. In 2013, Julia Served on the Charleston on Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors and acted as the finance committee chair and executive committee vice chair for finance on the Executive Committee. She was selected as a member of the prestigious Liberty Fellowship program in 2012 (her class went through the program in 2012 and 2013). The Liberty Fellowship program began in 2003 and is part of the Aspen Institute, which works to foster leadership around the world but is specific to South Carolina. Fellows are nominated on the basis of their community leadership, potential to have impact on a state level and career success, and once chosen, they are charged with the mission of changing South Carolina for the better. In 2013 Julia traveled to South Africa with seven other Liberty Fellows to participate in a globalization seminar, one of four in the two-year program. The trip happened to take place at the time of Nelson Mandela’s death.

Julia is a mentor to many within SCRA. She works tirelessly to ensure that SCRA associates are given every possible chance to succeed and do well and has taken several employees under her wing, advising them and helping their managerial skills. Several of these associates have been promoted and been given additional leadership responsibilities, reflecting the quality of the advice and instruction they have been given.

Julia is a well-rounded executive: leading the company and its affiliates in stellar performance year after year; mentoring SCRA associates and helping them succeed; serving on various boards in the community; continuing to educate herself and take place in fellowship programs to engage and connect with other leaders. Julia deserves this award and would be honored to receive it.

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Provide a brief (up to 125 words) biography about the nominee:

Julia is the CFO of SCRA and also serves as the Treasurer for SCRA Applied R&D and SC Launch, Inc. Prior to this position, Julia served as Director of Budgeting and Costing at SCRA. 2013 marked her 20th year with the company. Ms. Martin earned a B.S. degree in business administration from the College of Charleston, with an additional major in accounting. She has completed graduate coursework at the College of Charleston and is a Certified Management Accountant. Member, Institute of Management Accountants and the Financial Executives Institute; Graduate, Riley Institute Diversity Leaders Initiative; Board, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and the City of Charleston Southern Marlins Racing Team; Holds a US government Top Secret clearance.