About Martin Karl Vanags

Family

I'm proud to say that I am a first-generation American. Both of my parents came from Latvia after World War II, driven out by Soviet communists. Despite the hardships, my family's resilience is a testament to the human spirit. My father, who lost the family farm to Soviet occupation, and my grandparents on my mother's side, educated intellectuals who were also driven away, instilled in us the values of hard work and individuality. Their experiences, though harrowing, inspired us to be diligent workers and follow in their footsteps. 

From the day I lied about my age at fourteen (I was a big kid and looked at least sixteen) and landed a busboy job at a local Italian restaurant, to the present day, I have always worked hard to provide for myself and my family. 

Inspiration

From the earliest time I can remember, I have been a person who loves to organize things. Whether it was a sandlot baseball game between two different neighborhoods, a high school homecoming, or a dorm floor ski trip, I was always involved in creating and organizing new things. 

Government Interest

In high school, I served on the student council and was elected President for two consecutive years. I helped organize a petition campaign to get a referendum on the ballot to fund our schools and served as a student representative on the design team for a new high school. 

In college, I was on the academic senate and spent three years as a resident assistant in the residence hall. 

My interest in government was not so much in politics as in how government and organizations functioned. This curiosity and dedication to public service led me to pursue a degree in political science and a master's degree in public administration. I was going to be a city manager! 

While I enjoyed city management work, I was drawn to the field of economic development. The fact that I could have an impact on the economic growth of a community was thrilling. Watching my hometown community of Rockford, Illinois, suffer in the late 70s and early 80s from a devastating recession, it seemed like the right kind of job and a fulfilling one at that.

In my work in economic development, I was interested in how well my organization functioned. Developing key performance indicators (KPIs) and measures of success became my obsession. Additionally, learning to be more efficient and productive personally was one of my goals. 

Economic Development

One of the things I liked about working in economic development was that I was exposed to a wide variety of industries, people, organizations, and political persuasions. It's the type of experience you can't get in any job. Every person who works in economic development has a different origin story. Some came from marketing, some came from manufacturing, and some came from consulting. Others came from practically every walk of life.

However, one thing we all have in common is our love for community and people. No different for me. 

Over the years, I've had the privilege of working on a wide range of economic development projects, from large industrial ventures to Main Street small businesses. While I've celebrated some great successes, I've also learned from some epic mistakes. But through it all, my focus has been on helping people succeed, and I'm proud of the impact I've had on their lives and communities. 

The thrill of helping people succeed is what drives me every day. It's not just a job, it's a calling. And that passion is what I bring to every project, every client, and every community I work with. 

Today, as an independent consultant, I remain passionate about helping organizations, communities, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and individuals transform and grow. 

I'm excited about the possibility of working together. If you're interested in learning more about my work, I invite you to connect with me, subscribe to my newsletters, and follow me on this website. I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with you.