Columbia Metropolitan Airport announces Eddie Martin as Director of Public Safety
November 30, 2016
Columbia Metropolitan Airport announced that Eddie Martin has stepped into the role of Director for the Airport’s Public Safety Department. Eddie assumes the position previously held by Randy Blackmon who retired after 20 years’ service with the Airport. Eddie has been a member of the airport’s staff since 1995 when he joined the Airport Fire Rescue (AFR) Department.
In 2011, the airport began transitioning to a single Airport Public Safety Department in order to increase the airport’s ability to efficiently and effectively address the needs of airport passengers and personnel. As a part of the transition, Eddie completed police training at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy where he was recognized as class leader and was the recipient of the director’s physical fitness award.
Prior to his tenure at the airport, Eddie served 6 years in the United States Marine Corps as an Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Specialist. In 1990-1991 he was deployed to the Persian Gulf region for Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm and in 1995 he was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps.
Of his new role within the department, Eddie has expressed his gratitude for the trust that airport leadership has entrusted in him and an eagerness to make a positive impact on the department.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this department and our outstanding personnel into the future. We are coming up on 3 years since we transitioned to a true Public Safety department and that decision is paying great dividends. We have a new state of the art facility, a dedicated group of experienced officers and great support from Airport management.”
Eddie was raised in Newberry, SC, and currently resides in Chapin, SC with his wife, his step-son and his German shepherd, “Chase”. Eddie also has a step-daughter who is currently a sophomore at Anderson College.
When not working, Eddie enjoys golfing, Gamecock athletics, studying and investing in the stock market, and spending time at Lake Murray with friends and family.
Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) is the premier air travel provider for South Carolina’s Midlands region. The airport offers nearly 35 daily non-stop flights to 10 destinations nationwide. CAE is a self-sufficient entity and does not receive any state or local tax dollars. Visit our website at www.columbiaairport.com or on Facebook at Facebook.com/flycae.
