Matt is currently the Director of Economic Development for the University of Georgia. In this role, he serves as a top advisor to university leadership on economic development matters. Matt represents UGA with the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDECD) and its key partners for business recruitment efforts - marketing the strengths of UGA’s talent and research pipeline across the state to potential companies looking to locate or expand operations in Georgia. In addition, Matt also serves as a liaison to various economic development stakeholders including the state’s utility sector, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and various corporate partners across Georgia to ensure that the UGA is aligned with the business community to produce an educated workforce for both today and into the future. A heavy focus for Matt is centered around high-demand areas of industry growth. Before his start at UGA, Matt served in a similar role with the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. Prior to USG, he was the State Initiatives Director for GDECD’s Workforce Division of Workforce Development – ensuring the state’s talent development efforts align with the economic realities of the marketplace and industry demand. That work included a number of state-led programs seeking to meet the workforce needs of Georgia companies and aligning education and training toward in-demand jobs.Matt previously served as a Business Development Associate with Electric Cities of Georgia in their Economic and Community Development - working alongside various stakeholders in the public and private sectors to bring job creation and capital investment to Georgia communities. Matt collaborated with domestic and international business leaders and company executives to locate or expand their business in Georgia – through market research, site selection assistance, and coalition building between state and local representatives.A 25-year Georgia resident, Matt received Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Broadcast News from UGA, and a Master of Business Administration at UGA’s Terry College of Business. He is currently seeking his Ph.D. In Higher Education from UGA’s Institute of Higher Education. Matt and his wife Blair currently reside in Acworth with their children, Jack, Andrew, Charlotte and Clara.