Richard Martin has lived in the city of Sarasota since 1979. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness, the lead agency of the Continuum of Care as designated by the United States Office of Housing and Urban Development and the State of Florida Department of Children and Families. He served as City of Sarasota Commissioner from 2001-2005, serving as Mayor 2004-2005, and has worked for over 30 years as a manager of residential and commercial real estate, and as a planner specializing in eminent domain. He studied at Manatee Community College, graduating Summa Cum Laude, and has studied at New College of Florida with concentrations in Urban & Environmental Studies.