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AP19:066

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 13, 2019
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Secretary of State Alex Padilla Appoints Tamara Martin as State Archivist

SACRAMENTO, CA – Secretary of State Alex Padilla announced the appointment of Tamara Martin as State Archivist. She will be the youngest woman to hold the position in the history of the California State Archives. Martin will lead a staff of 36 at the State Archives, which is a division of the Secretary of State’s office.

“Tamara has been a tremendous asset as we have worked to modernize the Archives,” Secretary of State Alex Padilla said. “Her leadership will be invaluable as we continue to expand the Archives’ digital footprint and provide greater public access to the treasures of California history.”

As State Archivist, Martin will also serve as the State Coordinator for the California Historical Records Advisory Board (CHRAB) and as an Ex-Officio Member of the California Historic State Capitol Commission.

Martin joined the State Archives in 2014 and has served as acting State Archivist since April 2019. She has extensive experience providing training to employees on topics related to archival and museum administration and best practices, records management, policy development, grant funding, project management, and public records. Over the course of her career she has trained more than 1,500 employees from government entities, private companies, nonprofits, and archival institutions across the United States.

Prior to joining the Secretary of State’s office, Martin worked for the City of Napa coordinating the city’s retention of archival records, training staff on records management, and implementing citywide records retention schedules. She has also worked as an archivist with the Alabama Department of Archives and History, providing records management and appraisal expertise, training, and guidance to Alabama’s state and local government agencies.

A native of Riverside County, Martin became interested in public service and history during a visit to the U.S. Capitol on a middle school trip to Washington D.C. She received a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in History at American Public University. She lives in Sacramento with her husband, son, and daughter.

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