Growing up, I wanted to be either a cowboy or in the military.
I started my career cracking the world’s most complex codes as a cryptographer in the Navy. At Booz Allen, I solve different, though no less complicated, problems, and lead a team that supports the Space and Naval Warfare Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4i) systems.
Though my career is full of excitement and I’ve traveled the globe, I prefer to spend my free time with my wife in the Redwoods, and I still love toying with electronics.
Martin Greene is a leader in the firm’s Navy and Marine Corps business, focusing on military intelligence, cyber operations, and the Western Warfare Centers.
Throughout the past several years, he focused on cybersecurity, intelligence, information operations, policy support and experimentation, as well as strategic communication, cryptologic training, and systems development engineering.
Martin supported clients such as the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Unified Combatant Commands, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Dominance, Office of Naval Intelligence, Commander Tenth Fleet, the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command Enterprise, Navy Undersea Warfare Center, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme.
Martin joined Booz Allen in 1998 after 23 years as a Naval officer within the cryptologic, intelligence, and information warfare communities. During that time, he held key command and staff positions with many of our nation’s premier forces, such as the Commander Pacific Fleet and the Commander Third Fleet.
Martin is a member of the Naval Institute, the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association, Naval Intelligence Professionals, Naval Cryptologic Veterans Association, and the National Military Intelligence Association.
Martin holds a B.S. in political science from the University of Maryland, an M.S. in systems management from the University of Southern California, and a professional certificate in systems engineering from the University of California, San Diego.
What are your major responsibilities? I lead the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) line of business. I also lead the cyber functional management team. The cyber piece of it is across the entire Navy/Marine Corps account, so that tentacles into any place that we have Navy/Marine Corps business. I’m part of the San Diego cluster that includes most of California, all of Oregon, and Washington.
Why are you passionate about the work that you do? I’m a retired Navy guy, and I was an intelligence officer in the Navy for a good bit of time, so I have a passion for the Navy, and obviously for the military service. My goal when I retired—a little more than 18 years ago—was if I could find a company as good to me as the Navy, I’m going to stay with that company until I retire the second and the last time.
What are three tips you have for managing and motivating your people? First is attitude. I have to smile. I have to go in and be upbeat and optimistic. Second is optimism. And third, tell the truth.
What makes you excited to come to work in the morning? The people at Booz Allen and the work we’re doing for our clients.
What keeps you awake at night? The people at Booz Allen and the work we’re doing for our clients.
What mentorship advice would you give someone who took on a new leadership role? Reach out to mentors. You also want to make sure you keep people. My boss twice-removed above me has been my mentor for 14 of my 18 years at Booz Allen. Wonderful man. If I asked him, “How do I cook a roast?” or “How do I handle this challenging problem?” he has an answer for both.
What has been the best business advice you’ve received? Be honest with clients and employees. Take the time to know and understand your job.
What were you like in high school? I played football and basketball. I’m not an introvert, but not an extrovert either. I was very shy about asking girls out. My wife’s got a great story about the first time I asked her out. She said, “You just asked me if I was doing anything on a particular night. I said no. And you said, ‘Oh, OK.’ And you walked out.” That was all I had the nerve for!
What’s an obsolete item you can’t get rid of? Luggage. I have bags that weigh 900 pounds empty and aren’t rollers. They’re still sitting in the garage.
What is something that not many people know about you? I walk a lot. I walked six miles yesterday around a lake.
What do you think is your strongest character trait? I don’t give up. I confess to being a procrastinator. I wait until I can’t wait any longer. But I don’t give up.
What do you think people can do to be happier? Don’t dwell on the negative. The negative will always be with us. Until the day you die, there’s going to be sadness and hate. Look at the good things.
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