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Chief of Staff

Martin Kent

Upon being sworn in as the 71st Governor of the Commonwealth – in January 2010 the Honorable Robert F. McDonnell appointed Martin to serve as his Chief of Staff.  In that role, Martin serves as the Governor’s deputy personnel and budget officer for the Commonwealth, oversees the daily work of his cabinet secretaries and is a primary liaison to the Virginia General Assembly. 

After then Attorney General McDonnell’s departure to run for Governor and upon his appointment as Attorney General by the General Assembly in February 2009, the Honorable William C. Mims appointed Martin as Chief Deputy Attorney General.  His responsibilities as Chief Deputy included the day-to-day oversight of the operations of the Office of Attorney General and advising the Attorney General on issues of statewide significance.

Until 2001, Martin was in private practice where his emphasis was criminal defense and civil litigation.  From 2001-2006, he served in various capacities in the Public Safety and Enforcement Division of the Attorney General’s Office from an Assistant Attorney General to Chief of the Office’s Special Prosecutions Section.  Shortly after being elected Attorney General in 2006, Robert F. McDonnell appointed Martin to serve as his Chief Counsel coordinating the Office’s representation of state boards and commissions and interaction with the Governor’s Office and the Virginia General Assembly.  In addition, he oversaw then Attorney General McDonnell’s Government and Regulatory Reform Task Force and his legislative agenda. 

Martin has been a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in Virginia since 1993.  He received a B.S. degree from the University of Richmond and a J.D. degree from Mercer University.  Prior to attending law school, he was an Insurance Examiner with the Virginia State Corporation Commission, Bureau of Insurance. 

Martin is originally from Pittsylvania County where he was raised on his family farm.  He currently resides in Hanover County with his wife and three daughters.