For this story I get to chat with Javier Martínez, a previous Partnership for Community Action Executive Director, on the phone to learn a bit more about him and his connection to PCA. The line clicks, a quiet moment as Javier finds a space to talk.
The story he unfolds isn’t just his, it’s a 24-year testament to how a single opportunity can redirect a life, a legacy of mentorship, and an organization that became both a home and a launchpad.
In 2001, Javier Martinez, a first-generation student at the University of New Mexico, was in his second year and still uncertain of his future. There he met Adrián Pedroza, a fellow student who led a chapter of the nation’s first Latino fraternity. After their initial meeting, Martinez joined the group, finding a home and community with other first-generation students.
That year, when summer came around his scholarships and savings dwindled. He was fixing cars and working at a local auto parts store but still searching for something more. It was then Adrián encouraged him to interview at The Albuquerque Partnership. The interview was awkward, the man whom he was supposed to have the interview with had just quit. But the founder, Dr. Moisés Venegas, saw potential.
“I’ve been connected to PCA in one way, shape or form to this day since 2001.”
Community work was new to Javier.
He had always thought of work as something that has to make you tired. He’d grown up watching his father leave for construction before dawn. It was new to him that he could get paid to organize with the community. When talking about what excited him most he says, “It was the ability to help people in communities connect… back then, I didn’t even have the language to say this, but it was connecting people to their power.”
It reshaped his future. He went from a Business major to Political Science, taking Chicano studies and diving deeper into community work at the Partnership and deeper into student movements. He got involved in student politics and ultimately graduated with a clear purpose.
After college, an opportunity took him abroad for international public health work. With Dr. Venegas’ blessing, “go see the world”, he left, always knowing he’d return.
In 2006, he came back to PCA as a full time employee, with his sights set on law school. From 2007 to 2010, he took time away
from PCA to focus on his Law degree but always intended to return. Dr. Venegas had always encouraged him to continue his education and Javier took it to heart, “I wanted to do community work with an advanced degree.”
He returned in 2010 as PCA’s Policy Director, stepping into the fire.
This was the era of Governor Susana Martinez’s anti-immigrant policies, battles over driver’s licenses and financial aid. “That’s where I cut my teeth as an organizer, as a lawyer, and as an advocate in the legislature.”
During this time of fierce commitment, the organization rebranded as the Partnership for Community Action and secured its own property. Javier rose to Associate Director under Adrián, and when Adrián moved on, Javier stepped up as Executive Director, leading from 2017 until 2023.
His proudest achievements as ED?
The Social Enterprise Center. “It was really a team effort… I just so happened to be the ED at the time. So I got to cut the ribbon.” And secondly, “Making PCA a household name and a force within the legislative process.”
The proof was in his own trajectory. Elected as a State Representative in 2014, he eventually rose to become the Speaker of the New Mexico House of Representatives.
“I’ve got the highest possible position in the state legislature… And it’s because of the fact that PCA, Dr. Venegas, Adrián… gave me a chance in 2001”
For Javier, this is PCA’s core: it’s an incubator.
“One of my prides and joys is that… we’re always homegrown. Moiséss elevated Adrian. Adrian elevated me. I elevated Nichelle. Nichelle elevated Teresa… Hopefully she’ll continue that tradition.”
The call is ending, the Speaker has a meeting with the Governor. He shares that just last week, he took a call from Vice
President Kamala Harris. The summer intern from 2001 is now woven into a national network of power.
Today Javier is Speaker of The House in the New Mexico Legislature. He continues to advocate for the people of New Mexico with the same passion and determination as when he first started 24 years ago. He is a proud New Mexican, husband, father, and community member striving for a more just and equitable New Mexico for all.