Theresa Martin & Tara Martin Smarr
Founder and CEO of Martin’s Window Cleaning Corporation (MWCC), Theresa Martin was an advocate for window cleaning safety for over 40 years. Theresa was a member of the ANSI I 14.01-2001 Window Cleaning Safety Standard Committee, which developed and published the first General Industry Safety Standard for Window Cleaning. Theresa represented BOMA International and Martin’s Window Cleaning Corporation in an appeal of the ASME A-39 Standard’s negative position on Rope Descending Equipment used in window cleaning. This was a giant step for safety in the window cleaning industry.
Theresa served on the Board of Directors of the International Window Cleaning Association (IWCA) for many years, serving on the IWCA’s Executive Committee, and as chairman of the High-Rise Counsel and the Membership Committee. In 2003, the IWCA presented Theresa Martin with the ETTORE Award, “in recognition for unselfish support and devotion to the International Window Cleaning Association.” Then, in 2010, Teresa received the most prestigious award given in the window cleaning industry, the Lifetime Achievement Award. Theresa was honored for her dedication to the IWCA and her promotion of safety
in the window cleaning industry.
In 1991, Theresa began training her daughter Tara Martin Smarr to assist her with the family business and at the same time teaching Tara the window cleaning industry. Although Tara grew up learning about the family business, she began traveling to industry events with her mother and working side by side with her at MWCC. After many years of dedication to MWCC in 2012, Tara became President of MWCC and continued to work closely with her mother on all aspects of Martins.
Sadly, On September 1, 2014, Theresa Martin passed away unexpectedly, but with the help of Martin Esqueda, Dana Taylor, Angie Mehaffey and their window cleaners, Tara and the Martin’s team continued to honor Theresa’s legacy by growing the business. This includes Martin’s partnership with Valcourt Group as of July 2021.