Rural Prosperity Summit Speaker
Matthew Colvin
Matthew Colvin
Executive Director of Economic Development
University System of Georgia
Matt just recently began with the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia as its Executive Director of Economic Development. Before his start at USG, he was the State Initiatives Director for Georgia’s Office of Workforce Development - whose primary function is to ensure that the state’s workforce development efforts align with the economic realities of the marketplace and what businesses need to grow and thrive in Georgia. 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.
Prior to joining ECG, Matt served as External Affairs Manager for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and Broadcast Director for the Georgia State Senate. These roles provided Matt a strong understanding of Georgia’s diverse private sector and the top legislative and policy issues relating to economic development – as well as the resources needed to effectively grow the state’s business community and create jobs in Georgia.
A 20-year Georgia resident, Matt received Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Broadcast News from The University of Georgia, and a Master of Business Administration degree at UGA’s Terry College of Business.
Matt and his wife Blair currently reside in Acworth with their children, Jack, Andrew, Charlotte and Clara.