Paul Matt, chairman of MATT Construction, a general contracting firm in Newport Beach, Calif., he cofounded in 1991, died peacefully on June 30 at the age of 85. He had been battling non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Under his leadership, MATT Construction has been involved in the building of numerous projects that have become recognizable landmarks in and around Los Angeles. These include The Petersen Automotive Museum, the Broad Contemporary Art Museum, Annenberg Retreat at Sunnylands, the Skirball Cultural Center, and the restorations of the Wilshire Boulevard Temple the Hollywood Bowl.
“All of us at MATT take great solace that he lived to see his dream fully realized: building a company of great builders and great people. We will proudly carry on his legacy,” says Steve Matt, Paul Matt’s son and CEO of MATT Construction. Steve Matt is one of three children who survive their father, along with Paul Matt’s second wife Cathy, four brothers, one sister, and 11 grandchildren.
Having earned a structural engineering degree from Oregon Institute of Technology, Matt began his career in construction working as a welder on the Dalles Dam in Oregon. He later became a surveyor for the George A. Fuller Company, and in 1962 was promoted to project superintendent on the construction of the Salk Institute in San Diego, designed by architect Louis Kahn.
Paul Matt at his desk as a project superintendent in the 1960s for George A. Fuller Company. Image: Courtesy MATT Construction.
Prior to launching MATT Construction with his son Steve and brother Alan, Paul Matt was a senior executive and board member with the general contracting firm C.L. Peck.
Matt lived to see his company expand to 250 employees and more than $500 million in annual revenue. His career encompassed more than 450 buildings.
“Twenty years ago when I began working at MATT, I was trying to understand what my role would be,” recalls Marvin Wheat, MATT Construction’s president. “Paul told me ‘You can contribute to growing the company in any way you like as long as you’re not worried about who gets the credit.’ Paul always showed me how powerful it is to be a selfless team player.”
Paul Matt (left), with brother Alan and son Steve. They cofounded MATT Construction in 1991. Image: MATT Construction.
Related Stories
| Apr 30, 2012
Summit Design + Build completes build-out for Office Concepts
The project is seeking LEED ID Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.
| Apr 30, 2012
HSA Commercial selected as consultant for Orland Park’s Main Street Triangle project
HSA will be responsible for designing an overall mixed-use merchandise plan, attracting a unique retail tenant mix and completing leases with prospective tenants.
| Apr 30, 2012
Gilbane to manage retrofit of the Fraunhofer CSE R&B structure
Building is a first-of-its-kind research and demonstration building for sustainable technologies in Boston's Innovation District.
| Apr 30, 2012
KBE Building completes renovation at the ConnCAT
The $1.2 million project consisted of a 16,000-sf interior renovation.
| Apr 27, 2012
GreenExpo365.com to offer webinars on EPA’s WaterSense Program
Architects and builders interested in developing water-efficient buildings invited to attend free sessions featuring experts discussing water-efficient building practices.
| Apr 27, 2012
APA launches wood design web portal for building and design pros
Design professionals who are members of APA’s Professional Associates are automatically enrolled in the APA Designers Circle program.
| Apr 27, 2012
China Mobile selects Leo A Daly to design three buildings at its new HQ
LEO A DALY, in collaboration with Local Design Institute WDCE, wins competition to design Phase 2, Plot B, of Campus.
| Apr 27, 2012
CSM Group names Comerford as senior project manager
Comerford’s responsibilities include directing and verifying contract compliance by the trade contractors to ensure the owner’s expectations are met in respect to a quality finished project.
| Apr 27, 2012
Hampton Bays Middle School winner of the first National Green Ribbon Schools Program
School was the first LEED-certified public school in the state of New York.
| Apr 26, 2012
USGBC announces inaugural Green Apple Day of Service
On Sept. 29, 2012, participants from all over the world will volunteer to make the schools and campuses in their communities healthier and more sustainable.
