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Matthew's parents, his mother as an immigrant from Brazil and his father a first-generation college student from Kansas, both came to Springfield for educational opportunity and stayed because it was a welcoming community and great place to live. Matthew was born and raised in Springfield, attending Springfield Public Schools and earning a bachelor's degree at Missouri State University. After earning his master's degree from Vanderbilt University, he returned to Springfield to start a family.

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Matthew works at Ozarks Technical Community College as the Chief Research Officer, supporting the college's efforts to transform lives for the better through educational opportunity and workforce training. For this work, Matthew has received the OTC Excellence in Education Award, Missouri Community College Association's Technology Innovation Award, and awards for sharing research practices from the Mid-American Association for Institutional Research.

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Seeing an opportunity to use his research and planning skills to give back to our community, Matthew applied for and was appointed to Springfield's City Council as Zone 4 Councilman in March 2018 and then elected by voters in April 2019. Since that time, he has worked diligently to promote:​

  • Public health decisions based on evidence and advice from medical experts to protect our community during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the adoption of a mask ordinance

  • Small business funding programs, including forgivable loans, and support throughout the pandemic

  • Investing in transportation and other infrastructure projects based on data-informed prioritization, including the appropriation of over $30 million in funding for Zone 4 infrastructure projects

  • Public safety initiatives and support for the city's law enforcement and first responders, including the funding of body cameras for the Springfield Police Department

  • Community visioning and planning efforts through Forward SGF to make Springfield the most vibrant city in the Midwest for current and future generations to enjoy

  • Steps toward making our community even more inclusive and inviting for all individuals

  • Attraction of quality, well-paying employers to our community, including the Costco project and American Airlines maintenance hub

  • Workforce development initiatives to provide individuals and families with paths out of poverty into quality careers

  • Talent retention and attraction efforts that build upon Springfield's strong higher education ecosystem

  • Creation of an innovation district through projects like Missouri State University's IDEA Commons and Ozark Technical Community College's Center for Advanced Manufacturing to help create the quality jobs of the future here in Springfield

  • Proactive efforts to deal with poverty and ensure that every child has the opportunity to benefit from educational opportunity

  • Quality of life efforts including parks, public arts, Greenways and public events

  • Investing in transportation and other infrastructure projects based on data-informed prioritization

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Matthew remains active in other community organizations including the Foundation for Springfield Public Schools Board, Missouri Community College Association, and the Chamber's Network for Young Professionals. He is a graduate of Leadership Springfield (Class 33) , was selected for the Springfield Business Journal's 2018 40 Under 40 and Biz 417's 2018 10 for the Next 10. Matthew was also elected by the readers of the Springfield News-Leader as the inaugural "Captain Springfield" in 2016.

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Matthew has been endorsed for re-election by the Springfield Police Officers Association, Springfield Firefighters, Greater Springfield Board of REALTORS, and the Good Government Committee (a partnership between the Springfield Chamber and Home Builders Association).

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Matthew is married to Teresa Simpson, an instructor at Springfield Ballet, and they have two sons: Arthur and Daniel.

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