In Memory of
Waleska Martinez

Waleska Martinez's career with the Census Bureau spanned 13 years during which she worked with strong commitments to excellence and innovation on all major Regional Office automation operations in support of the Current Survey programs, the Decennial Census, and Census Tests.

She began her career in 1988 as a clerk in the New York Regional Census Center. Within a matter of months she was promoted to an Assistant Manager for Administration position and then to an Administrative Specialist position. During the 1990 Census, Ms. Martinez provided exemplary payroll /personnel support and other administrative support and guidance to all areas of the Regional Census Center and the District Offices. In addition, she developed specialized automation reports and spreadsheets that provided managers with valuable, easy-to-use information on the status of critical administrative activities.

In 1991, upon the successful completion of her 1990 Census Administrative Specialist duties and responsibilities, Ms. Martinez was transferred to the New York Regional Office as a Special Survey Technician. On the basis of her considerable academic and technical background and experience in the areas of computer science and management information systems, Ms. Martinez was called upon to serve as the Regional Office Computer Specialist in early 1993.During the following years of major expansion in Regional Office automation and the introduction of Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing for the major Current Survey programs, Ms. Martinez kept the New York Regional Office in the forefront of automation support, training, and performance.

In 1998, Ms. Martinez was selected to serve as the Census 2000 Automation Supervisor for the New York Region and was given full technical, operational and managerial responsibility for the entire range of automation hardware, software, and support including a complex telecommunications network for the Regional Census Center and the 39 Census 2000 Local Census Offices.

During her career with the Census Bureau, Ms. Martinez was the frequent recipient of performance awards and special act awards in recognition of her outstanding technical and managerial skills and innovative contributions in all areas of automation. She received the Bronze Medal Award, the highest honorary award granted by the Census Bureau in 1998.