By By Adrienne McKenzie
A transformation of scenery has occurred throughout town as Diamond Gasoline has changed both its Exxon station at 1421 South Main St. and BP station at 303 Howard St. to Chevron stations.
According to Roy White, vice president of Diamond Gasoline on Hwy. 21, the change is not due to a buyout, it is strictly to create a diversity of gasoline for area citizens.
"We felt we needed another brand in addition to BP in order to grow," White said.
White said for Diamond Gasoline to work with Chevron, they had to commit to purchase a certain amount of gasoline per year.
"In order to work with a major oil company you have to commit to a certain number of gallons a year," he said. "Five million gallons a year is the minimum requirement to have Chevron gas."
White said he has another location at the Perdido exit off of Interstate 65 that has recently been changed to a Chevron. A BP station in Brewton at 1713 Douglas Ave. has also made the Atmore.
"My father is from this area but I was born and raised in Europe," she said. "I've been coming to Atmore all my life. Atmore is not new to me."
Martin graduated from a high school in Belgium and then came to the United States where she attended Troy State and then transferred to Auburn University. She has degrees in business, education and psychology. After college, Martin moved to South Carolina.
"After my parents pressured me to settle down, I did in Columbia, S.C.," Martin said. "My parents were in Charleston."
Martin worked with the mentally ill for approximately a year and worked with a mental health hospital as a counselor for about 14 years.
While in South Carolina, Martin joined the Army and through that got her master's degree in management.
Her parents then moved from South Carolina back to Atmore and Martin felt as if she, too, needed to grow some southern roots.
"My parents moved over here and it's always been my objective to move close to my parents," she said.
Martin then worked as the program director for a girl's facility in Florida for three years but decided she wanted to change careers.
"I wanted to do something completely different so I started with Walgreens in 1998," Martin said. "I've been with Walgreens for nine years and a store manager for seven. My first management position was at Lynn Haven, Fla. and I've been there ever since, until they decided to build a Walgreens in Atmore."
Martin said she came into the picture for the Atmore Walgreens on June 4 and that the store is projected to open June 25.
"They decided to change some things with the pharmacy so that may change the date," Martin said.
Being close to her parents is very important to Martin so she is happy to live in the same town as them.
"I moved back here because I felt like it was my responsibility to take care of my parents," she said. "I'm excited and my parents are both very excited."
Martin said that she and Walgreens staff members are here for the community.
"We are here for Atmore," she said. "If there are any questions, we always have an open door, always ask."