Oct. 26, 2021

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Trey Martin, the marketing operations specialist at Expansion Capital Group.

Name: Trey Martin

Age: 29

Hometown: Sioux Falls

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

My family moved here when I was in middle school for better work opportunities. This was over 17 years ago, and to be completely honest, when we did first move here, I was not a huge fan of Sioux Falls. For me, it was a “big city” as strange as that sounds saying, and I was so used to living in a town where you could get anywhere in five minutes. It was an adjustment for sure!

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

Obviously, I got used to Sioux Falls and have come to love it. It has grown exponentially over the years and has really done some amazing things as far as community growth and statewide growth. We are attracting people from all over the states, which says something about our community and what we have to offer as far as a home base.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

Within my role, I have a lot of freedom to make the marketing strategy for ECG what it can be, which can be a little overwhelming but at the same time very exciting! Plus, I have a lot of intake from other departments and employees that aids immensely in my job since they are ultimately who I am marketing for.

How did you get connected to your industry?

I originally went to school for architectural engineering at Southeast Technical Institute. After realizing it was a little too much math and numbers for me, I was lucky enough to have amazing advisers who directed me towards marketing with emphasis on design since I still had that creative muscle that I wanted to stretch. I made a quick transition into marketing and haven’t looked back since. Soon after graduating, I got my first role as a marketing coordinator, and from there the rest is history. Really, I owe it all to my advisers and guidance I received while at Southeast Tech because without them I would probably still be stumbling my way through blueprints, having no idea what I am doing.

Describe your workplace in three words.

Determined. Dedicated. Diligent.

What is something someone might be surprised to learn about you?

I am deathly afraid of the leprechaun from the “Leprechaun” movie. I saw it for the first time when I was probably way too young and still have nightmares about that creature.

What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?

I donate to the St. Francis House and have volunteered serving food there as well. I love the fact they are so structured around turning people’s lives around and ensuring they are stable enough to go back into the world and make it what they want. The people that go through their program may have hit a rough patch, but that is just that — a rough patch that will pass and will be in the rearview mirror with endless opportunities ahead.

What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?

We could really use more retail options, specifically for men. We are lucky enough to be centered around some pretty big shopping cities in the tri-state area, but not having to travel for good clothes would be a plus.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Ah yes, the million-dollar question. Simple answer is I would just like to be continuing my marketing career, playing a hand in big company initiatives that not only satisfy the corporate goals but also are satisfying to my personal and career growth.