Matt Rich
Posted by Communications2 on Jul. 11, 2023 / Member Spotlight / Subscribe 0
Name: Matt Rich
Company: R&O Construction
Title: Business Development
Board Role: President-Elect
How long have you worked in the AEC Industry?
I’ve been in the industry since 2003 when I moved over from the “Tech” sector. The first tech bubble had burst and my company merged with a firm in Pennsylvania. Nothing against Pennsylvania, but I love Utah. A good friend and mentor, Jack Wixom, invited me to meet some people in the construction industry and I’ve been hooked ever since.
What are the rewards of your job?
Creating spaces in our communities, always learning something new, contributing to work that leaves a lasting legacy and most of all, forming deep and lasting relationships with amazing people.
What are your challenges?
We have been incredibly busy, which is great, but having to tell a client you won’t be able to build for them because the right team just isn’t available always leaves me with a pit in my stomach.
How long have you been an SMPS member?
I’ve been a member since my first year in the industry. Jack was a huge believer in SMPS and threw me into the SMPS deep end from the very beginning… so almost 20 years.
What led you to serve on the Board?
Having the opportunity to form relationships with others in the industry is one of the biggest benefits of SMPS. That was true from day one of my membership. The chance to serve on the Board early in my career put those opportunities on steroids! This is a very active Board that requires a lot of work. Thankfully there’s a lot of amazing and talented people willing to help and serve.
How has SMPS membership helped you?
The more I look into the informative resources offered by SMPS, the more amazed I am at the depth of education available to SMPS members. There is a saying, alternately attributed to Buddha Siddhartha Guatama Shakyamuni and the Theosophists, that goes: When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. That has been my learning relationship with SMPS. Whenever I’m ready to learn, it always seems like the resources are there for me.
What's the best career advice you've received?
I’m a big Winston Churchill fan. One of my favorites from him is, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”
What's the best career advice you've given?
Keep your promises.
What is one of your favorite business books?
I’m cheating a little bit because I’m reading it now but, Atomic Habits, by James Clear has been a transformative guide to establishing small habits to achieve massive gains. Related sidenote: It was recommended by a speaker at the SMPS Southwest Regional Conference.
What is one of your favorite non-business books?
The Education of Little Tree, by Forrest Carter is one of my all-time favorite books! Reading it forces self-contemplation and helps me explore base emotions and life priorities. I try to read it every few years.
What's on your bucket list?
Here’s a few:
- See a game in every Major League Baseball park (I have a long way to go)
- Spend as much time as possible with my family (doesn’t matter what we’re doing)
- Sail for a month around the Greek Isles
- Sail for a month around New Zealand
- Sail for a month around French Polynesia
- Learn to sail
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