Staff

Marty Schwartz – President

Martin started Vehicles for Change (VFC) in April 1999 with a $30,000 grant from Precision CertiPro Warehouse an auto parts distributor. Martin has directed an expansion that included Maryland, most of Virginia and Washington DC.

VFC was selected as a “best practice” organization in a national study completed by the “National Economic Development and Law Center” and generally recognized as one of the premiere low income car ownership program in the country. 

 In 2005 Martin started Freedom Wheels, a retail used-car business that is a subsidiary of VFC. He was selected as the University of Baltimore 2007 Social Entrepreneur of the Year and the Baltimore Visitors and Convention Bureaus “Sales Person of the Year” award. In 2011, Martin was recognized as an “Influential Marylander” by the Daily Record and Vehicles for Change received the MassMutual Citizenship Award for its private public partnership developed with Precision Tune Auto Care. Martin co-authored a book on Social Enterprise titled Effective Social Enterprise: Practical Advice and Best Practices from Leaders in the Field and serves on the Baltimore Workforce Investment Board and the local Board of the Social Enterprise Alliance.

Pat Long – Director of Freedom Wheels

Pat Long has been in the automotive industry for over 20 years.  His previous work included positions as sales manager and finance manager, as well as president of Long Enterprise. He attended University of Maryland and has been a notary public for the State of Maryland since 1999.

Steve Sullivan – Assistant Director

Steve Sullivan is serving his eighth year as program and service director of Vehicles for Change. Steve has over thirty-seven years of automotive experience, with a background in automotive service, parts, sales and training. Steve previously worked as an accountant at a nonprofit automotive association and in field sales and service for both Standard Motor Products, Inc. and Federal Mogul, Inc. He is ASE and IMACA certified and holds a B.A. in Accounting from Loyola College (Maryland).

Melissa McKenna – Assistant Director, VA State Coordinator

Melissa McKenna has managed all operations related to VFC’s Richmond, VA location for the past 10 years. She brings a wide range of experience to VFC, having managed and owned numerous small businesses over the last 30 years (including wood and gas stove stores, a bicycle store and a screen printing machine manufacturer). Melissa is also skilled auto mechanic and has rebuilt engines, replaced transmissions and made repairs on a wide variety of vehicles, including her very own school bus. She is a licensed VA car dealer.

Marneisha Freeland – Financial Manager

Marneisha brings over a decade of accounting experience to her role as financial manager at Vehicles for Change. Marneisha began her career as a staff auditor at Arthur Anderson LLP, before serving as an assistant manager of contractual compliance at HMSHOST Corporation. Prior to joining VFC, Marneisha worked as audit manager of SB & Company LLC. She holds a B.S. in Accounting from Hampton University and is a mentor for youth in Baltimore City.

Jen Harrington – Marketing Director

Jen Harrington joined Vehicles for Change as marketing director in 2012. Prior to joining VFC, Jen worked in publishing at Wolters Kluwer Health and in legal marketing at Chapman and Cutler LLP, a financial-services law firm based in Chicago. She holds an M.A. in Writing from DePaul University, and is currently active in various charitable organizations.