Matt joined the BE team in the Harrisonburg, VA office in December 2010, and in 2021, he was promoted to partner!

Matt’s area of expertise lies in providing audits and other assurance services for local governments, construction entities, cooperatives, and not-for-profits, including foundations. He also assists with tax compliance for a variety of small businesses and individuals.

He earned his Bachelor’s degree and Master’s of Accountancy from Virginia Tech and is a licensed CPA in Virginia and Maryland. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants (VSCPA), and the Virginia Government Officers Association (VGOA).

Matt is actively involved in the Harrisonburg community and currently serves as the president of Mercy House, a not-for-profit in Harrisonburg, and as a current member of the Shenandoah Valley Builder’s Association and the Harrisonburg Rotary Club.

The Shenandoah Valley Business Journal has recognized Matt as a winner of their Top 10 under 40 award and he is a graduate of the Community Leadership and Building Optimal Leaders by Design Programs provided by the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce.

We interviewed Matt to really get to know him, outside of his profession, and we were surprised to learn that he is a BIG Star Wars fan and one of his goals as a father is to get his kids to be as heavily into it as he is.

Where are you from and where did you grow up?

For most of my life, I have lived in Harrisonburg. I grew up here, and after spending six years in the D.C. area after college, I came back and settled down in Harrisonburg with my wife, two boys, and one more on the way.

What are some of your hobbies?

I am a big fan of music. I listen to all genres but mainly classic rock. I even attempt to play some classic rock on the guitar and piano.

As a VT alum, I am an all-around Hokies fan and enjoy watching the games and cheering them on.

I have always been fascinated by history and will read or watch just about anything related to history, especially if it is related to WWII or famous figures.

I also enjoy playing golf, traveling, cooking new foods as the grill master, and enjoying time with my family and friends.

What do you consider your best quality or trait?

From a work perspective, I believe my strongest quality is balance. I have a strong balance of technical skills and communication, which translates well as an advisor to clients and staff addressing issues or challenges. I enjoy the conversations that lead to the a-ha moments by collaborating as a team.

What is the best advice you ever received and from who?

I have gotten a lot of great advice from my parents over the years, including some initial marriage advice from my dad…”You can be right, or you can be happy.” I think my wife and I both appreciated that advice early on in our marriage and continue to think in that regard.

If you could be a superhero what would be your superpower?

The release of so many superhero/fantasy character movies over the last ten years has really opened up the door to so many superpowers but I think Superman has many great qualities, especially the ability to fly!

What is your favorite food?

My mom makes the BEST mashed potatoes. I’m not aware of the ratio of potato to unhealthy ingredients but based on the taste, I’m sure it leans towards the unhealthy by delicious side.

What famous figure (living or dead) would you most like to meet and why?

I thought about this and was able to narrow the list down to three.

1. Cal Ripken, Jr.
2. Franklin Roosevelt
3. Harry Truman

Ripken was a role model of mine growing up (former player for Baltimore Orioles). He exemplified the notion of hard work and consistency, holding the record for consecutive games played. He has also been heavily involved with philanthropy after his playing days. I have also read several books on Roosevelt and Truman and I think it would be fascinating to meet both of these men who helped lead our nation through a dark time during World War II.

What do you think is your biggest contribution to the Brown Edwards team?

I can honestly say I am truly proud of the Brown Edwards government niche. I am excited to see how it’s grown and the opportunities it presents to our firm and team members. It has provided strong relationships and consistently challenging work.