United Way Announces Chris Martin and Martin Guitar Will Chair 2024 Campaign
United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley has announced that Chris Martin and Martin Guitar will serve as the organization’s 2024 campaign chair. In this role, Martin and the C.F. Martin & Co. team will volunteer to lead United Way’s largest annual fundraising effort, which raised a record-breaking $25,002,145 in 2023.
“I’ve been involved in supporting United Way since I was a kid, so it feels like a full-circle moment for me to chair this year’s campaign,” said Martin.
Christian Frederick Martin IV, known as “Chris,” is the Executive Chairman of the world-renowned C. F. Martin & Co. and the sixth generation of Martin family members to run the business. Martin acoustic guitars are prized worldwide for their exceptional tone, design, craftsmanship and attention to detail. The iconic company’s contributions in music history are unparalleled, and Chris Martin is a key figure in its long and illustrious history. Under Chris Martin’s direction, the company has maintained its integrity and industry-wide respect, while growing and prospering to unprecedented manufacturing and sales levels.
“Chris Martin and the team at Martin Guitar are committed to quality and excellence in everything they do. They are pillars of the community, and we are honored to work together with them to build a brighter future in the Greater Lehigh Valley,” said United Way Chief Executive Officer Marci Lesko. “Their efforts over the next year will create a lasting impact on the health, safety and education of thousands of our neighbors throughout Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties.”
Chris Martin’s commitment and dedication extends beyond the factory floor. He is recognized as one of the leading philanthropists in the Lehigh Valley, working to serve the local community on various levels. In addition to Martin’s personal involvement, Martin Guitar also works diligently to support key issues that affect the broader guitar industry and make the company stand out as a leader, including environmental sustainability. Martin Guitar has a long tradition as a United Way partner: contributing to special initiatives through the Martin Guitar Charitable Foundation, hosting lively events, regularly providing campaign incentive prizes, running an annual campaign for its employees and participating in a number of volunteer opportunities including United Way Day of Caring. Thomas Ripsam, C.F. Martin & Co.’s President and CEO since 2021, also serves as a volunteer on United Way’s Board of Directors.
United Way’s 2024 annual campaign runs through March 31, 2025.
Martin’s full biography is available here.
