MARTIN JONES

DISTRICT GOVERNOR

DISTRICT A-16

2025-2026

A.P. Singh, of Kolkata, India, was elected to serve as international president of Lions Clubs International at the association’s 107th international convention, held in Orlando, Florida from July 13 through July 17, 2025.

International President Singh is a practicing chartered accountant and has family business interests in automobile dealerships.

A Lion since 1984 and a member of the Calcutta Vikas Lions Club, International President Singh has held many positions within the association, including district governor and council chairperson. He has served as GMT international coordinator for four years and as a member on a number of ad hoc board committees. He was chairperson for the 2017 DGE seminar in Chicago, USA, and has served as faculty at more than 50 ALLIs/RLLIs, RLLIs, FDIs and LCIP certification programs. He has also served as multi-national coordinator for Campaign SightFirst II, CA leader for Campaign 100, member of the LCIF Steering Committee and as chairperson of the National SightFirst Committee of India.

International President Singh has participated in and presented seminars at area forums in all constitutional areas. He was the co-chairperson of the Organizing Committee for the ISAAME Forum in Kolkata, India.

In recognition of his service to the association, International President Singh has received numerous awards, including multiple International President’s Awards, as well as the Ambassador of Good Will Award, the highest honor the association grants its members. He is a major gift donor for Campaign SightFirst II and Campaign 100, and a progressive Melvin Jones Fellow.

In addition to his Lion activities, International President Singh is accredited with the initiation of various service programs in collaboration with other trusts, foundations and corporate houses. He has worked on establishing a web-based Lion leadership development platform, a micro-finance program, and has organized multiple large-scale online events to keep Lions engaged.

International President Singh has three children.

Lion Martin began his Lions journey in 2006 as a member of the Dundas Lions Club. Over the years, he has taken on numerous leadership roles, including Club President (2012–2013) and President of the Dundas Lions Non-Profit Housing Corporation (2010–2014).

After relocating to Alberta, he became an active member of the Fort McMurray Lions Club, serving as President from 2015–2016. Following the devastating Fort McMurray wildfire, Martin moved to Red Deer and continued his commitment to service as a member of the Lacombe Lions Club from 2017–2019.

In 2019, Martin returned to Ontario and joined the Whitby Lions Club. His leadership expanded at the district level, where he served as Zone Chairperson for Zone 33 South (2021–2022), Region 33 Chairperson (2022–2023), Second Vice District Governor (2023–2024), First Vice District Governor for 2024–2025, and is currently serving as Ditrict Governor (2025-2026). He is also an active member of the Oshawa Airport Lions Club, where he serves as Tail Twister.

Beyond Lions, Martin has been happily married to his wife Debra for over 45 years. They have two grown children and one grandson. In his downtime, he enjoys spending time with his family at their cottage in Tobermory, Ontario.

Professionally, Martin is a Red Seal Master Electrician (442A) and recently earned his Doctorate in Adult Education from the University of Liverpool. His doctoral research focused on supporting individuals with dyslexia in the skilled trades — a reflection of his lifelong dedication to education and empowerment.