MLC partner Matt has been part of our firm for 10 years. Click here to read their full bio and get to know them better!
- What did you want to be when you were a kid?
I wanted to be a professional hockey player and play in the NHL. I loved the game and played growing up. Unfortunately, I wasn’t fast enough, didn’t have a big shot, and couldn’t see the ice as well as I needed to—so that dream was short-lived.
- What is your favorite activity to unwind from work?
In the summer, I enjoy a round of golf. Often, I’ll walk nine holes by myself to unwind after a long week and clear my head. I also enjoy fishing from my kayak on the rivers around Lansing, chasing smallmouth bass.
Most importantly, I love coaching my sons’ sports teams and spending time with my daughter and my wife, Megan.
- If you were to give a TED Talk, what would it be on and why?
I would focus on the importance of doing ordinary tasks in an extraordinary way. We’re often sold “quick fixes” or shortcuts to get ahead. While technology has changed how we work, excellence still starts with fundamentals. Being elite means consistently doing the ordinary things exceptionally well. Honestly, it’s a message I’d be giving as much to myself as anyone else.
- Who are three people, living or past, that you would most want to have dinner with?
- Abraham Lincoln – I’d love to learn about his leadership style and how he stayed principled in the face of extraordinary challenges.
- Nick Saban – I know my MSU friends may not appreciate this, but I’m fascinated by his leadership philosophy and his ability to communicate fundamentals in a simple, yet powerful way. I especially want to hear his thoughts on managing people with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. His talk on the “illusion of choice” is a great example.
- My grandfather, Fred Collins – My Papa passed away in 2020 after battling dementia and Alzheimer’s. He was the most influential person in my life. I’d give anything to have one more dinner with him to tell him about my family, my kids, and the personal and professional growth I’ve experienced—much of it because of the role he played in my life.
- What skills are most important in your role?
- Communication – Clearly conveying complex issues, listening carefully to understand competing perspectives, and building trust with clients and policymakers. Strong communication is foundational to effective advocacy and long-term relationships.
- Discipline – Staying focused on priorities, following through consistently, and managing the long game. Success in this role often comes from steady, disciplined work over time rather than quick wins.
- Creativity – Finding innovative ways to solve problems, navigate challenges, and position issues effectively. Creativity allows us to adapt, think strategically, and identify opportunities where others may not see them.
- How do you describe your job to someone outside of the industry?
At its core, I’m in the relationship business. We build deep, meaningful, and lasting relationships with key decision-makers in and around state government.
- What’s one thing you know now that you wish you knew when you started?
Not every challenge is a 10-alarm fire. Fight hard for your clients and build long-lasting, meaningful relationships—but keep perspective. Not everything is the end of the world, and the long game matters.
- What is one thing about MLC that makes us great?
Our people. I’m incredibly proud of the team at MLC. We have talented and dedicated professionals who show up every day and work hard for the firm and our clients’ success. And just as important, they’re people I genuinely enjoy working alongside.
