Ferdy E. Martinez

My Beloved Family and Friends,

My Time has come to say goodbye, I would like to share a few of so many Precious Memories with you, Special to me

Fernando E. Martinez known as Ferdy E. Martinez

Parents: Jose Jeronimo Martinez and Francisquitta Silva, both deceased

Survived by his Loving, Beloved Family: Jeanette V. Martinez, Wife Lorenzo I. Finci, Son, Christine P., Daughter, Leila Celeste, Granddaughter, Caspian Lorenzo, Grandson Russell Lacy, Nephew preferably as known-Son, Aileen Lacy, Niece preferably as known-Daughter; Siblings: Sammy Martinez, Dora Martinez, Nancy Quintana, Donald Beggs (wife-Pam, Albert Garcia (wife-Edith), Esther Barbiero, Dolores Brown (husband-Kent), Helen Weissman (husband-Bruce), JoAnn Jex (husband-Russ)

I was Born and raised in a small Village in the Northern Mountains of Vallecitos, NM in a house built in 1776; raised by a Native American Grandmother, whom had gone through very hard times in her Life time; which earned her the qualities to teach me to be Compassionate and Respectful to others, that Dignity and Integrity is what is the foundation of a Person. My Grandfather, who was hardworking early to rise – from early dawn to late evening to provide for his Family yet make time to help his beloved Village Community. Together my Grandmother and Grandfather taught me Respect and Love of Family, the Significance of Self Sacrifice, Empathy to Others and strong Work Ethics.

In this house, that was built in 1776; I am in possession of the Deed; which was deeded to my Great-Great-Grandfather in the “Homestead Act of March 3, 1891” signed then by President Woodrow Wilson. My Grandparents wanted me to attend school in a new location better known as Northern NM Normal School, El Rito, NM along with my older brother and sister who were currently attending. After arriving, within a week, I met students from All Walks of Life. It seemed like we had been together for years; while writing this seems like it was yesterday down Memory Lane. Memories best described as One Big Happy Family.

Students interacting with one another during the day. Faculty through their Guidance, Teach, Instruct, Educate, Train. Accustomed to some action or attitude to cause Students to think for themselves. Make to know the disagreeable consequences of your actions. Guide in Studies, Impart Knowledge, Instruct by Precept, Example and Experience Basic Foundation that would influence a Student’s Future. My Love for Sports; I tried out for every Sport. I wanted to be a part of what this School stood for Academically well known for Credentials in Sports. Being State Champs several times, I remember walking into the Gym; the first thing you saw was a big sign that (Coach Vincent Martinez known as Marty) had hanging on every wall “THINK”. Later in Life I realized the significance of what he meant:

1.Think what you say 

2.Think what you do 

3.Think what you want to be 

4.Think how you go about in your daily Life.                                           “THINK”, What a way to start! I took his Advice.

1959, 1960, 1961, 1962 those four years are so memorable, it seems like yesterday. What a Dream! It was a Privilege to be part of an Amazing, Memorable Experience at NNMNS El Rito, NM that I hold very Dear to my Heart. After High School, I got a job in Albuquerque, NM. I enrolled at St Joseph College, unfortunately, I did not have the funds to begin College First Semester, so I started the next semester; becoming a Coach was my ultimate Dream.

The following Summer, I got a job with one of the largest Electrical Contractors in the Country. I traveled quite a bit. The company had Offices in ten (10) different States, plus work in big Government Projects: Los Alamos; Sandia Base; White Sands; Mercury Sites; Pascagoula, South Dakota; Huntsville, Alabama; at The US Space and Rocket Center inclusive of various States. Then, I start to realize my opportunities might be somewhere else. When I got back to Albuquerque, I applied again to the Electrical Apprenticeship Program. In those days, you had to know someone in the Business to recommend you. Time came where 1was supposed to enroll to start at St Joseph college that fall. One month later, I received a notice that I had been accepted into the Electrical Apprenticeship Program. I thought it would be a great opportunity for me as I was working now Part-Time for a great Electrical Company, who allowed me Flextime at work and made it convenient for me to attend school. One year into the Program, I was drafted into the Army. After Basic and Advance Training, I was headed to Vietnam; What an Experience that was! I now realize how Precious Life is, and how much I used to take for Granted.

While serving in Vietnam, I received the following Commendation Medals:

1. National Defense Service Medal

2. Army commendation Medal.

3. Vietnam Service Medal with Sharp Shooter

4. 5 Bronze Service Stars

5. Purple Heart

6. Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal

After receiving my E-5 Stripes, I was assigned a Special Mission which made you appreciate Life even more. Having Experienced the Bloodiest Tet Offensive of the war, 1968; I knew then, we were in for a Fight, A Fight for Life. Upon my final month in Vietnam, the army introduced a new Helicopter. We were used to the old "206" and “212" “Gun Ships” I saw the new Helicopter in motion. Two weeks later I ran into the 25th Infantry Commander, General Stone; I asked him what was that Helicopter? Was that our new "Gun Ship"? He replied, Sargent Martinez, that's our new 'Gun Ship' known as the '’Cobra". I asked him if he would write a letter Recommending me to train and learn how to fly the Cobra. General Stone replied, it would be my Honor; but Sargent Martinez, if you sign up for four more years; you will become an E6 and they will tell you, sure, of course. Reality is they are not going to pay you E6 wages to go to school, when they can pay someone else 1/4 of what you make. With your Expertise and what you are doing here; you will be back here in Vietnam within 6-8 months. I knew then that I could not take that risk to do another tour at what I was doing. While testing, I had qualified for OCS that made me eligible for Warred Officer's School.

If I would have been reclassified and trained to Fly the Cobra, I would have been more than glad to return to Vietnam. After working the jungles from Da Nang to the Cambodia Border, I had acquired enough knowledge to serve as a Helicopter Pilot. Living in a fox hole for twelve and one half (12 1/2) months is No Walk in the Park. The scars and Injuries were my sign telling me it was time to turn a new chapter. After leaving the Army, I had two months to report and continue my Electrical Apprenticeship Program. My Military withdrawal was only good for the two years Active Duty. I had to start all over again and do a full four year of schooling. After four years I graduated at the top of my class. While in Vietnam, the Electrical Company I worked for before, Reynolds Electrical and Engineering Co., known as REECO had sold to EGandG and had moved their Head Quarters to Nevada and Johnston Island out in the Pacific. During my Apprenticeship, I was assigned to work where the testing of the Patriot Missile and Black Hawk Helicopter, (brought back memories of the first time I saw the cobra) were being tested. That Assignment was an Experience. After Graduation from the Electrical Apprenticeship Program, I accepted a Job with a company located in Salt Lake City, Utah; I worked there for two years. I met the owner of the company, his name was Kiby Jacob. What a wonderful man! He treated his employees with such Respect, like his Life was depended on us. At that point I realized how important it is to respect and treat your Employees with Dignity and Respect. I told myself, if ever I own a company; 1 am going to be just like Mr. Jacob. I was offered a Job with the I.B.E.W., the organization I had served my Apprenticeship. The pay was less, but the opportunities were GREAT, I accepted. After six months on the job, I was granted a Stipend to attend Arizona State University to study Labor Law. I finished my schooling and received my Associates Degree in Electronics. The following year, I went University of Idaho to study Business Law. I attended Montana State University to study Arbitration and Mediation Law. I took advantage of every opportunity that would arise. While working for the I.B.E.W., I got involved working with less privileged children; knowing where I came from. I volunteered for Big Brothers, Charter and Sunrise. It was sad to see such young children getting involved in Drugs and Alcohol; I took it to Heart and helped in every way I could for the next five years; until I was recruited to take over the Electrical Apprenticeship Program for the State of New Mexico. I kept in contact with all those Individuals. I worked so hard with Big Brothers, Charter and Sunrise; “They broke my Heart”

Upon starting my new Chapter, I had made up my mind that 1 was going to recruit individuals from remote areas to include the Navajo Nation, I managed to open a Training Center at Red Rock on the Navajo Nation. Those individuals who completed the Program are still in the Business today. Whenever I see some of them, they thank me for persevering and helping them to succeed; “What a Pleasure!”

I served two years with the Electrical Apprentice Program. I then decided to start a new Chapter. I threw my hat into the Ring to run for the Top Seat in the I.B.E.W., I campaigned for one full year; for it was an elected Job. I crossed the State of New Mexico every other month; It was well worth it. I received 60% of the total votes. I was then starting a new Adventure, How Exciting! I.B.E.W. 611 Business Manager, my first job was to travel to every Unit in NM, as there were several. As we had twenty-three (23) Labor Agreements; some of those Units had never seen a Business Manager prior to me. I made a good impression on them. I served in this capacity for eight (8) years.

Ready to turn a new Chapter, I had thoughts for several years of becoming a Line Contractor in the State of New Mexico. The course I took at Arizona State and in Idaho would come into play. I took my state tests. First my Business Law test, which I passed; I scheduled my Labor Law test, which I also passed. Time to go to work, not realizing how difficult it would be to start from scratch. I named my company Line Constructors Co., Inc. It took me three (3) months before I got a job. I then had to lease Equipment, purchase Tools and hire a Crew. My advantage was that I knew everyone in the Business, Employees, that is. After consideration, being aware of the Recession of the 80's in full swing at that time; borrowing money was like pulling Hen's Teeth. I started to wonder if I had made the right decision, was it the right time; but when your Ambition over rules your Ege, this is what happens. I had leased the Equipment, and the billing would come every thirty (30) days. To get a decent rate, I leased all of the Equipment two (2) years. So then, I was stuck, better get to work. Next problem, every Job required a Performance Bond, which was hard to acquire. Times were tough. I traveled the State Looking for work. Being a new company, without a Track Record was tough. Most Businesses were hesitant to take a chance on me. Most Companies doing this type of work were from out-of-state. I took the risk; I mortgaged my Home and Trucks for a loan. I decided to start a new Phase. You calculate the risk of work, which involved Bare Handing Rubber Gloving that had never been done before. Everything was done with Hot Sticks. l increased my Productivity by 60%. Having a big advantage over other Contracts, you must work all Elements of your work if you intend to be successful. Hope is sometimes a great Disappointment, but you cannot let it destroy you. You have to have a Goal, some Expectation, which gives you your own Identity. To me, success is to be measured not so much by your position you have reached in Life, But by the Obstacles, which you had to overcome while trying to succeed. Perseverance is the Fabric of our DNA so that we can continue to Improve this world for those who will come after us. People that don't make mistakes, usually don't make nothing; because when your Expectations are higher than Results, you are in for Disappointment; Don't try to change the World, think of trying to change yourself. If you are working at what you really Love, you don't have to push it, your vision pulls you right into it and your success will make you a Person of value.

Line Constructors Co., Inc. is Reputable and Exceeded our Customers’ Expectations. We are regarded all over the State of New Mexico with Excellence Performance, safety and Productivity,

Good Equipment and Excellent Personnel. I am very Proud of our Reputation in the industry.

Line Constructors Co., Inc. is a private owned company that was established in 1989. We specialized in Electrical Services in the State of New Mexico gave support to PNM (Public Service Co. of NM) in all segments of their Electrical Services in the State of New Mexico and Arizona.

We Contracted work for all Electric Cooperatives in the State of New Mexico

Central New Mexico Electrical Coop. Northern Rio Ariba Electric Coop.

Continental Divide Electrical Coop. Otero County Electric Coop.

DW Towers – ATandT, T Mobile, Verizon Mora San Miguel Electric Coop.

Jemez Electric Coop. PNM

Kit Carson Electrical Coop. Sandia National Labs and KAFB

US Dept of Energy, Chugach Management Services JV Socorro Electric Coop.

*Service utilities for Private Developers

*Maintained and Oversaw Projects per Contract Specification

*Prepared and Executed Work Orders

*Supervised all Installation, Maintenance and Repair Work

We specialized in Live-Line Distribution, Rebuilding and Troubleshooting in both Underground and Overhead Systems. To include the first Installation of Scadamate Swithces, Capactors, and Regulators in the State of NM. From voltages 12470 KV, 24900 KV and 69000 KV, includes Live-Line Building and Reconductor Jobs from Single Phase to Three Phase Systems.

In my Line of Work, I had the Privilege to work in at least 10 or more States. But my Highlight was working in the Caribbean, Providing Relief to those effected by the results of Devastating Damages caused by several Hurricanes.

My work took me to the following Islands in the Caribbean:

St John, St Kitts

St Thomas Montserrat

St Croix, St Lucia

Jamacia

It was an Experience I will never forget. The people you meet, their appreciation for your helping them out in time of need. It was so sad to see what had taken place. Thank God for Compassionate people always extending a helping hand. I thank God for allowing me to be a part of that Effort.

I had the Privilege to work with New Mexico Native American Pueblos to include:

Cochiti Pueblo

Isleta Pueblo

Jemez Pueblo

Nambe Pueblo

Pojoaque Pueblo

San Felipe Pueblo

In closing, to My Employees, you are the Best of The Best. We will always be connected through that invisible Link.

Thank You, Thank You. You are the ones that made Line Constructors Co., Inc. the company it was.

I Love you all and may God Bless each and every one of you.

Ferdy E. Martinez, President and CEO

Line Constructors Company, Inc

Ferdy's Life Celebration details are to be announced.