Matt was born in Massachusetts but grew up on the West Coast after his family moved to San Diego. Though he has lived in many states, his work has always been focused on logistics, transportation, and development. 

Matt began his career at a trucking company in Fontana, CA, with his father, where he worked as a fleet manager and ultimately as a director of dedicated logistics services.  He further developed his logistics knowledge and skills by joining a Utah-based shortline railroad in 2001 and filling in anywhere he was needed. By the time he was approached about becoming the Director of Operations, he had worked as a dispatcher, technical writer, brakeman, conductor, engineer, trainmaster, customer service manager, and operations manager.  Armed with the knowledge he gained in these disparate positions, the director’s responsibilities then afforded him the opportunity to travel across the country to start new railroads and streamline existing ones.  In the years Matt worked as the Director of Operations, he started three new railroads in Temple, TX, Sacramento, CA, and Klamath Falls, OR, and helped streamline operations at existing railroads in Anaconda, MT, and Homer, LA.    

Three weeks after moving to Astoria in March 2014, Matt started working at the Port as a Grant Writer and was promoted to Operations Manager in July 2014.  He began his duties as the Port of Astoria’s Deputy Director in August of 2020, where he now oversees all Terminal, Boatyard, Marina, Maintenance, Security, Environmental Compliance, and Airport functions.    

Almost 12 years into the job, Matt feels good about what the Port has accomplished and is excited about the development projects ahead.  These projects include the $30 million Pier 2 West Rehabilitation, Boatyard Expansion, Airport Industrial Park, Airport Terminal Expansion, and the Central Waterfront Redevelopment, which will bring a new fishing village, public market, and hotel.  Following years of planning efforts and community engagement, Port staff are now working to bring these projects to fruition. Both Matt and Executive Director Will Isom agree that a successful Port relies on a long-term vision and working to bring that vision to reality.  When asked about the Port’s mounting successes amid the promise of future development, Matt highlights the Port team.