James B. Martino was born in Denton, Texas, on March 28, 1951. He married Jennie Marie Barron in August 1973. They are the parents of five children.
He received a bachelor of science degree in business from Brigham Young University in 1974.
Since joining the Church in 1968, he has served in numerous Church callings, including full-time missionary in the Guatemala-El Salvador Mission, stake executive secretary, stake Young Men president, seminary teacher, bishop, stake president, and mission president.
At the time of his call, Elder James B. Martino had been serving as a member of the Sixth Quorum of the Seventy in the North America Southwest Area. He has served as a member and President of the Central America Area Presidency and as a member and President of the Europe East Area Presidency. He has also served in the Missionary and Priesthood and Family Departments at Church headquarters. He is currently serving as President of the North America Southeast Area.
After graduation, he began working for Russell-Newman, Inc., an apparel company. He was president and CEO of the company from 1989 to 2000. He served as chairman of the company from 2003 until his retirement in 2009.