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MBA experience sparks interest in study missions for Williamson County Tech alumnus
Martin Plumlee
Martin Plumlee’s military career allowed him to see and experience many things. After
attending The United States Military Academy at West Point and serving active duty
as an infantry officer, earning an advanced degree wasn’t at the top of his priority
list.
However, as he later settled into a corporate career, the Master of Business Administration
program at Tennessee Tech University caught his eye.
“Tech’s program was going to allow a broad, global perspective that really fit well
for me,” Plumlee said.
He also had an interest in Latin America that traces back to his high school Spanish
teacher.
“I’ll never forget her,” he said. “She helped introduce her students to Latin culture,
really helped us understand and appreciate it and built my interest there.”
At West Point, Plumlee had also studied Brazilian Portuguese, so when working through
Tech’s MBA program and an opportunity to do a study mission to Brazil became available,
he knew it was something he couldn’t pass up.
“We had the opportunity to see what the health care system was like there, got a look
at industry and connected with colleagues,” Plumlee said. “Many of the students who
were on that trip together are still connected professionally today. It was truly
an impressive experience and still one of the best times and trips of my life.”
Sometime later when a friend was considering an MBA program, Plumlee encouraged him
to consider Tech. Through his continued connections in the program, Plumlee took a
second trip to South America, this time as a chaperone for a group of Tech students
traveling to Argentina and Chile.
“That was kind of a full circle experience for me, having that interest in Latin America,
having traveled with Tech myself and then getting to encourage others’ interest in
the culture there through that university experience,” Plumlee said.
Plumlee earned his International MBA from Tech in 2006 and has continued an impactful
career working as a recruiter for companies all over the country, including several
international clients.
“For me, recruiting is an opportunity to combine some of my strongest skills,” Plumlee
said. “I enjoy learning, working to understand people and connecting them with the
opportunities that are right for them.”
Currently, Plumlee leads his own national executive search firm, Plumlee & Associates,
LLC, based in Williamson County, Tennessee. Being from Nashville and seeing the growth
and potential in Middle Tennessee, Plumlee says it’s the right place to grow a business
and a family.
“It is fun to be an entrepreneur,” he said. “It has its challenges, but I love being
what I call a ‘corporate matchmaker.’ I am blessed to call this my profession.”
He still has a role as a part-time commissioned officer with the U.S. Army Reserve
and is actively involved with Williamson Inc., the Chamber of Commerce and Office
of Economic Development in Williamson County.
At the recent State of the Schools event for Williamson County, Plumlee, who has two
children in school himself, was eager to hear not only about the schools in his county,
but for the opportunity to talk with Tech President and First Lady Phil and Kari Oldham.
Tech is the annual sponsor for the event.
And those study missions Plumlee did during his time at Tech are now part of his work
in Williamson County as well. Soon, he will travel with a group from Williamson Inc.
to Arizona to share best practices for business and economic development and see what
he can learn there.
“I am always learning, always eager and ready to learn about business and the leaders
that help drive success in their organizations,” Plumlee said.
