After nearly five decades of public service in Roanoke, Martha Franklin has mastered the art of making things happen behind the scenes. Her 14-year tenure with Outreach and International Affairs — following 34 years with the city of Roanoke — exemplifies the quiet dedication that transforms organizations from the inside out.

Franklin began her time as a Hokie at the Center for Organizational and Technological Advancement, which at the time had offices in The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. The center drives conferences and educational programming to the hotel, including signature programs such as the School Leaders Institute.

Eventually, as the hotel expanded, COTA’s offices moved to the Virginia Tech Roanoke Center, across the street at the Roanoke Higher Education Center, and Franklin’s responsibilities grew to encompass financial oversight for the center’s broader programming initiatives.

But despite her role running the numbers, Franklin’s greatest strength lies in her ability to anticipate needs before they arise.

Laughing as she recalled a boss who nicknamed her “Radar” for her proactive support, she said, “I just always try to make them look good and keep them on track and do things that will save them time.”

Nancy Gruber, assistant vice president for resource management and planning with Outreach and International Affairs, said, “Martha has an incredible ability to stay calm and focused, no matter how complex or fast-moving the situation. She’s the person everyone relies on when challenges arise because she’s already thought through solutions and quietly made things happen in the background. Her adaptability and steady presence have been a cornerstone of our work.”

As her official retirement date of Feb. 1 approaches, Franklin is reveling in the thought of not having a lot of plans. “I don’t want any plans. I just kind of want to be able to do things I want to do when I want to do them,” she said.

She is looking forward to more spontaneous moments with her husband and friends, though retirement won’t mean a complete departure. Franklin plans to return part time in the spring to continue supporting the center.

“What I will miss most are the friendships I’ve made and just getting to know some great people here,” she said. 

Scott Weimer, executive director of Roanoke Regional Initiatives and leader of COTA and the Roanoke Center, praised Franklin’s adaptability and dedication.

“Martha has been the backbone of our organization as someone who seamlessly transitions between tasks, learns new skills, and always puts the team first,” Weimer said. “Her ability to help wherever she’s needed — whether it’s financial work, program management, or simply supporting her colleagues — has been invaluable and helped shape our center’s success over the past 14 years.” 

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