When he was 27, Ray Martinez found himself at a critical moment in his political career. As the New Mexico director for the 1992 Clinton/Gore campaign, he and his staff were charged with converting a state that had voted Republican in every presidential election since 1964. They did it.

"It was a very validating moment when we saw the election results. It was a turning point for me. I realized I had something to offer in the political arena. Since then, my career has taken off."

Now 35, he has since earned his law degree and spent the rest of the last eight years working for Bill Clinton's administration. Since October, he's been the main contact between the White House and state governors around the country. He also does outreach to other state and local elected officials.

"I enjoy interacting with the governors and trying to help them come to a resolution," he says. "It's the most positive aspect of my job and the essence of public service."

Growing up in Alice, Texas, Martinez says he always dreamed of being a lawyer and an advocate. He was class president every year he attended Alice High School and spent the summer after his senior year working for a private attorney.

A chance meeting with a Southwestern recruiter led him to visit the campus, where he immediately fell in love with what he saw. He was awarded an academic scholarship, and he went on to graduate with a degree in sociology and a political science minor.

"Southwestern provided me with a liberal arts education that prepared me for life. I was exposed to so many different things while I was there. I took courses in religion, philosophy, logic and theatre. I was in Student Foundation and Phi Delta Theta fraternity. I was a part of the first Study Abroad program at Southwestern, and I had the opportunity to study at the University of London Imperial College. It was a great experience."

After graduation, he considered going directly into law school, but decided to take a few years off and establish himself in the political world. He sent his resume to every declared democratic candidate in the 1988 presidential campaign. His only response came from Al Gore, who had "no money, but a lot of work." It was an opportunity to learn the political ropes, and Martinez hoped it would pay off later.

Over the next few years, he ran local campaigns in the Texas towns of Big Spring and Pearland, worked as a legislative assistant to a state representative and became deputy campaign manager for Dan Morales in his successful bid for Texas Attorney General.

By 1991, Martinez felt he had established his name in politics, so it was a good time to go to law school. He worked for Morales during the day and went to law school at the University of Houston at night. Then, in the spring of 1992, the Gore staff called him again. His hard work as a volunteer had paid off.

When Bill Clinton won the election in November, Martinez was asked to join the presidential transition team in Washington D.C. He stayed there for four years before returning to Houston to finish law school.

Through all of this travel and change, there was always one constant - his spouse, Beth Stanley Martinez '89. While they were friends at Southwestern, they didn't start dating until years after both graduated. She is a therapist for Dallas Metrocare Services, working with patients who have developmental disabilities and mental health needs.

"She's been very supportive of my career. She knew early on in our relationship that my interests would affect us. She even quit her job and moved to D.C. just so we could continue to date."

Since October, they've had to manage a long-distance marriage with him working in Washington D.C. and her in Dallas. But with their first child on the way, he's planning to put his political aspirations on hold to come back to Texas. The two are considering moving back to the Austin area where he has standing offers with several law firms.

"I'm interested in running for office one day, but I'm not in a hurry to do it. I've put a lot of time in establishing my career, so I'd like a chance to throw my hat in the ring, whether it's Congress or the local school board. Public service is my passion, and I hope to stay involved on a long-term basis."

-Greg Holland