Matthew is a Senior Vice President at Tenax Strategies who brings his extensive expertise in legislative and regulatory affairs to the benefit of a diverse range of sectors. As a U.S. Army veteran who served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Matthew has ardently advocated for first responders and military members. His efforts have resulted in enacting new rules to aid firefighters who develop cancer on the job. He has also championed innovative job training programs for developmentally disabled youth and adults.

Drawing on his extensive background in both the campaign world and the Massachusetts state Senate, Matthew deeply understands the legislative and executive processes underpinning government policies' development, enactment, and enforcement. He is widely regarded as a thought leader in his field, with a firm grasp of the administrative realities determining policy changes' ultimate impact. As a result, Matthew has been instrumental in ensuring that solid policies are implemented effectively and aligned with their original intent.

Matthew's impressive track record of success includes a recent achievement in which he played a vital role in passing a Massachusetts law that transformed military and veteran policies and established a groundbreaking education program for National Guard members to transfer their Massachusetts education benefits to their dependents. This legislative change has had a significant positive impact on National Guard members across the Commonwealth. 

As someone who cares deeply about veterans’ issues, Matthew volunteers with numerous veteran non-profits and housing programs, including serving on the Board of Massachusetts Fallen Heroes. 

Matthew’s Work at Tenax Strategies

As a trusted advisor to the Tenax team and their clients, Matthew helps them navigate the complexities of the government process. He educates policymakers on Tenax clients' industry-specific business interests through relationship-building and robust public policy campaigns. In addition, he liaises between government officials and Tenax clients to move policy forward in a way that is favorable to everyone's interests and promotes informed decision-making on the issues at hand.

Matthew's unique process involves examining all angles when targeting a legislative or regulatory change and exploring different tactics and approaches to achieve the best possible outcome for his clients. He takes a realistic approach to ensure that his client's goals are achievable and sets clear expectations from the outset. In addition, he is a skilled communicator who takes the time to understand the opposition and craft effective counter-messaging to ensure that his clients are well-positioned for success.

One recent and remarkable instance that exemplifies Matthew's commitment to his clients involves a significant win he and the Tenax team achieved in the Massachusetts legislature. Despite securing the funding that the client needed, the executive branch was not executing the policy as the client  intended. Matthew was persistent in his communications with policymakers. He worked tirelessly to ensure that the funding was administered and allocated in a way that aligned with the client's goals and expectations.

This tenacity and dedication are the hallmarks of Matthew's approach to government relations and strategic communications, making him a valuable asset to any client seeking to make the government work better for them, their stakeholders, and government personnel themselves. 

You'll find Matthew playing golf with his toddlers when he is not advocating for his client’s business interests or supporting military veterans. His goal is to get his handicap below 15 within the year.