CORNELIUS MARTIN Chairman, WKU Board of Regents

Bowling Green and Kentucky are mourning the loss of two prominent businessmen killed Saturday in a motorcycle accident.

Cornelius Martin and Brooks Mitchell were killed at around 10:30 a.m. when an oncoming truck slammed into their motorcycles on Ky. 79 in Logan County. Two others in the group, Lloyd Ferguson and Bill Leachman, survived. The driver of the truck was charged with first-degree assault, two counts of second-degree manslaughter, driving under the influence, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

&#8220It is such a shock” were the first words uttered from many who knew the two men – Martin, the owner of numerous auto dealerships and Harley-Davidson franchises around the country, and Mitchell, a banker.

One of Cornelius Martin’s legacies can be seen by anyone visiting Western Kentucky University.

The 57-year-old Martin, a longtime member of WKU’s board of regents and the current chairman, actively supported many aspects of Western, from athletics to women’s studies, said Peggy Loafman of Bowling Green, a former regent who served 10 years with Martin.

&#8220He was a wonderful man … he has been a wonderful member of our community and Western supporter,” Loafman said.

Loafman said one of the most important things Martin did as a regent was head the search committee that selected Gary Ransdell as president.

&#8220He provided a lot of leadership for the committee … and it’s clear they made the right choice,” she said.

Ransdell said, &#8220I’ve been very fortunate to work so closely with Cornelius,” noting that Martin’s multiple terms as chairman of the board are a tribute to his leadership.

&#8220He was a close personal friend and adviser,” Ransdell said. &#8220We met often and there were very few decisions of any consequence that were made without consultation with Cornelius.”

Ransdell said Martin was hands-off when it came to administrative matters.

&#8220He was focused on policy and direction and progress of the university, and I’m sure he ran his businesses the same,” Ransdell said.

Western will likely have a memorial for Martin, but will wait to see the funeral arrangements, which are being handled by J.C. Kirby & Son, Lovers Lane chapel.

Loafman said Martin was a genuine person who cared about this community and its people, all while becoming very successful.

He started from humble beginnings in a large farm family in Muhlenberg County.

He owned more than 15 auto dealerships in California, Arizona, Ohio, West Virginia, Iowa and Kentucky and Harley dealerships in Bowling Green and Louisville. He also founded Co-Mar Aviation, which constructed the new airport terminal at the Bowling Green-Warren County Airport.

Martin’s company, Martin Automotive, was named Black Enterprise Magazine’s auto dealer of the year in 1997, recording $114 million in sales, according to the Associated Press.

Since coming to Bowling Green in the late 1980s, Martin served as an example to other minorities as an organizer of the Southern Kentucky Minority Economic Development Council, and was involved in the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Southern Kentucky. Locally, he established the Athena Award to recognize outstanding businesswomen and numerous other organizations. He also provided scholarship funds at Western and supported a mentoring program for black students there.

Tom Hiles, Western’s vice president of institutional advancement, said Martin &#8220was one of those rare supporters who did something for every part of the campus.”

Martin and his family were leadership donors to Western, giving &#8220well into the six figures,” Hiles said.

In addition to his time and money, Martin also gave the university cars, he said.

&#8220On a personal level … it’s really tough,” Hiles said. &#8220He was a friend. He was a mentor. I just can not believe it. It’s a dark day for everyone concerned.”

In addition to his work with Western, in 2002 Martin was named to the Louisville branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and was currently serving as its chairman.

&#8220We are so saddened to hear this news about Cornelius,” said Maria Hampton, manager of the Louisville Branch. &#8220He was a personal mentor of mine … as well as someone the Federal Reserve respected.”

Hampton said Martin, who met with former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, had a keen eye for economic development and what triggered it throughout this region. His insights and leadership helped the branch though a period of reorganization, she said.

Mary Cohron, president of Citizens First Bank, nominated Martin for the spot on the Fed.

&#8220It is just a sad day and a huge loss,” Cohron said. &#8220What Cornelius has done … this community will not be the same without him. He gave so much … what he has given to my industry as a member of the reserve.”

Cohron, who along with Loafman were recipients of the Athena Award, has a banking office in Martin’s headquarters, so she saw him on a daily basis and will miss those visits.

Martin was well-respected by both the community and his employees, according to Rose Wheat, who is the motorclothes manager and events planner for Harley-Davidson of Bowling Green.

Wheat was hired in November 2003 to help open the store.

Holding back tears, Wheat said the phones at the store hadn’t stopped ringing Saturday.

&#8220The business community, the riding community have been calling all day. … The reaction is one of an outpouring of compassion,” she said.

Despite the loss of the dealership’s owner, Harley-Davidson will still have its big birthday bash next week, Wheat said.

Tim Mauldin is a friend and neighbor of Martin and was his attorney for 18 years.

&#8220He was an inspiration to employees and business associates,” Mauldin said. &#8220His generosity and friendship will be missed by all of those who had the privilege to know him.”

Mauldin spent several hours Saturday with Martin’s wife, Gail, and children, Amber, Chad and Coleman – to whom he was dedicated.

&#8220They are as well as can be expected,” Mauldin said of the family. &#8220They’ve got a lot of friends and neighbors who have been very supportive.”

Lois Gray, who served on WKU’s Board of Regents with Martin for about five years, used the word &#8220wise” in describing Martin.

In addition to his dedication to the community, Gray said, Martin showed great dedication to his family.

&#8220He was one who was really in love with his kids and always had good things to share about what was happening in their lives,” she said.

Gray said Martin’s term on the board was to end in July, and she already was missing him.

&#8220Now I (really) won’t have him to lean on,” she said.

One of Martin’s close friends, Tommy Smith, was invited on the ride Saturday and decided not to go.

Smith, president of American Bank & Trust, was nearly at a loss for words over the loss of his friends.

&#8220They will be missed,” he said. &#8220I can’t imagine Bowling Green and Warren County without them.”

Bowling Green Police Chief Bill Waltrip had a personal connection with both Martin and Mitchell.

Martin’s Harley dealership provides the police department with four Harleys each year for a $1 lease.

Waltrip said Martin was proud to be able to help the police department, and ultimately the community, by providing the Harleys.

Gov. Ernie Fletcher offered his condolences in an e-mail statement: &#8220A tragedy like this reminds us that life is fragile and each day on earth is precious. The First Lady and I send our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of Mr. Martin and Mr. Mitchell and to the entire Bowling Green community.”