DeKalb High School junior Raiden Martin has been elected President of the Tennessee Future Business Leaders of America, ascending from his role as state treasurer to the chief executive officer in the Volunteer State.
“A reap what you sow,” Martin said of his campaign that led to his election during the FBLA Spring Conference in Chattanooga., noting he could not have made it that far without the support of his school, his advisors and his campaign team of Parker Gassaway and Eli Cantrell.
The FBLA is for students who want to pursue business careers, something Martin says he is eyeing. A football player for the DeKalb County Tigers, the junior says he might like to go into sports and entertainment management as a career. “That’s putting the two things I love to do, together,” he noted, admitting he still hasn’t made a firm decision about where he will attend college.
As President, he will serve as an advocate for the FBLA and will be attending the national leadership conference. He comes by his love of FBLA by heritage as his mother was an officer with the club during her time in school.
“It’s a way to get career and college ready for those who want to pursue a career in business,” Martin said of the organization that boasts over 100 members in DeKalb County and, as one of his goals during his term, he hopes to see the state total top 6,000 members. “This was the first club I signed up for.”
As a way of growing the FBLA numbers, Martin said he wants to get behind the middle school FBLA program which is quickly growing.
“I’m exciting to have the opportunity,” Martin said of the challenge that lies ahead, noting he is looking forward to learning a lot when he attends the institute for leadership in San Antonio.