CHARLOTTE - Native Charlottean Ken Martin is retiring from the city's Department of Transportation after nearly four decades of service.

For him, it’s been more than a career but a family business.

Both Martin's father and grandfather worked for the city – making him a third generation city employee. And in 2010, his oldest daughter, Ashleigh started working for the city with engineering and property management.

During his tenure, Martin said he's seen a lot from the creation of the iconic skyline to clean efforts from numerous storms.

As he prepares to leave, Martin said he knows he made a difference.

“Within the city and building the structure within who we are and building this community because truly that's what my dad set out to do, my grandfather before him, that's what I tried to do,” said Ken Martin.

Martin retires from the city of Charlotte on November 30 but he isn't retiring for good.

He's taking a few days off before starting a new job with an engineering firm in December.