Robert Martin is a tribal chairman of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, a 1,000-member Indian tribe located near Banning, California. He has served for more than two decades in tribal government. During his earlier tenure as chairman, he oversaw the construction of the original Casino Morongo. He has worked closely with city, county, state and federal lawmakers on economic development; land, water and energy resources, education, environmental, transportation, regional impact and tribal gaming issues.

His advocacy for Native American education and advancement extends beyond his own tribe. He has served as a member of the board for the California Indian Manpower Consortium, the California Indian Child Welfare Consortium, Riverside/San Bernardino County Indian Health, Inc., and Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association. Martin has also been active in encouraging the tribe’s economic diversification, which led to the tribe’s partnership with the Arrowhead water bottling plant, the construction and operation of restaurant franchises, and the development of longer term economic development planning.