Martin named director of emergency management

March 24, 2026
Categories: Faculty/Staff Tags: Emergency Management, Safety and Security

Kevin Martin ’97 has been named the director of emergency management at UNC Charlotte, effective Monday, March 16. He served in an interim capacity for this role from July 2024. He reports to Associate Vice Chancellor for Safety and Security Chris Gonyar.

“I have been proud to work alongside Kevin for the past 10 years,” said Gonyar. “I’ve seen him develop as a professional from emergency management planner to now the director. He has always been a leader with innovative ideas, and I am excited to see where he takes this team.”

As director, Martin, a legacy alumnus, oversees the emergency management team of staff and student interns as they prepare for, respond to and recover from any current or potential threat to campus safety and operations.

“UNC Charlotte is more than just my alma mater — it is a community I have been honored to serve for the last decade,” said Martin. “I am excited to officially step into the director role and continue the vital work of helping safeguard our campus.”

Martin’s vision for the future of the Office of Emergency Management is rooted in initiatives such as NinerReady and the Niner Response Network. By leveraging the expertise of the office combined with cutting edge research from campus partners, the team is charting innovative approaches to campus preparedness, response and recovery efforts. Through these activities, they help ensure that every student, faculty and staff member is empowered with the tools they need to weather any event.

“I look forward to leading our dedicated team of professionals and student interns as we further cultivate a culture of resilience and readiness within Niner Nation,” said Martin.

In addition to his dedication to UNC Charlotte, Martin has served on local and state emergency response teams, has deployed to major disaster areas and is an emergency management instructor for multiple agencies. When he isn’t busy contemplating catastrophes, he enjoys time with his wife and dog, and looks forward to any reason to visit a mountain.