Joel A. Katz Named Chairman Of T.J. Martell Foundation National Board of Directors

Joel A. Katz

The T.J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research’s board of directors has appointed Joel A. Katz as chairman of the board. Katz, chair of the global entertainment and media practice at Greenberg Traurig, has served on the T.J. Martell Foundation’s board since 1995 and will succeed Tony Martell who died Nov. 27, 2016, at the age of 90.

“It is an honor to have the opportunity to build on the strong foundation established by Tony Martell,” said Katz. “The T.J. Martell Foundation has tremendous opportunities for growth in supporting innovative cancer research and ultimately improving the lives of patients. I am honored to have been selected as chair of this outstanding organization.”

“On behalf of the Martell Family, it gives us great pleasure to have Joel Katz as the Chairman of the T.J. Martell Foundation,” said Debbie Martell, daughter of Tony Martell. “Joel was very close to my father for many years as his entertainment attorney and as his friend. He will be an excellent leader and will help continue the important mission of the foundation.”

The Foundation was founded in 1975 in loving memory of Tony Martell’s son T.J., who died of leukemia. The foundation has provided more than $280 million dollars for research that supports eight flagship hospitals in the United States.

“We are deeply grateful and very excited about our future with Joel Katz. He has demonstrated strong leadership and commitment to the Foundation for many years,” said Laura Heatherly, the CEO of the organization.

Katz received the T.J. Martell Foundation’s Spirit of Excellence Award in 2009 and 2010, as well as serving as Chair Emeritus of the Atlanta’s Best Cellars Dinner for the foundation.

Katz has been named to Billboard Magazine’s ‘Power 100’ list of the most influential executives in the music business. His client list has included James Brown, Willie Nelson, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Jamie Foxx, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Ludacris, Jimmy Buffett, Julio Iglesias, Little Big Town, TLC, Steve Harvey, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.