The Wm Michael Barnes ’64 Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Texas A&M University presented its 2022 Distinguished Former Student Award to Martha Bellens-Martin ’85, a technical account management program director at VMware, a global leader in cloud computing and virtualization software and services.
“Gratitude is how I feel about my time at A&M and my time ever since then throughout my career,” Bellens-Martin said during her acceptance speech. “I want to express gratitude to the mentors, the professors, all the student leaders and my lifelong Aggie friends. Of course, a special level of gratitude to the industrial engineering program. It is such an incredible foundation that encompasses effectiveness, efficiencies and processes.”
Bellens-Martin received both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in industrial engineering from Texas A&M. After graduating, she started her career designing plant layout and then began selling software to automate plant design. She now manages and leads a team of technical account managers for VMware.
“When you go and look for your career, whether it's at the very beginning or you're ready to make a change, finding the company that embodies your cultures and your values is critical,” she said. “We spend about 25% of our waking hours working, so let's make sure that when you choose a career, when you choose a path, when you choose a company, that that piece of your life is meaningful.”
Throughout her life, Bellens-Martin has found many ways to give back to the department. She actively works with the Women in Engineering program and has given financially through the establishment of the Martha Bellens-Martin ’85 Scholarship to support undergraduate students in the department.
“Martha has shown exceptional commitment to her academic work in her career,” said Dr. Lewis Ntaimo, department head. “Her involvement by volunteering at events and support through scholarship have made a noteworthy impact on our students and establishes her as one of the most significant contributors to this program.”
Bellens-Martin was presented with the award during the department’s spring gala. The Distinguished Former Student Award is given annually to former industrial and systems engineering students who have gone on to do great things and have an interest in impacting the department.