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
Contractors | Nov 5, 2015
Budget bill provision raises OSHA fines for first time in 25 years
Inflation-adjusted penalty hikes could go up as much as 80%.
Contractors | Nov 3, 2015
ABC, AIA & NAHB: Residential, nonresidential construction growth expected in 2016
Economists from the three trade associations discussed several indicators for sector performance in a joint web conference.
Contractors | Nov 2, 2015
ABC: September's nonresidential spending slip no cause for concern
Despite the monthly drop, September's year-over-year increase is largest in seven years. Seven of 16 nonresidential construction sectors saw spending increases.
Contractors | Oct 30, 2015
ABC: Economic growth stronger than headline GDP figure suggests
GDP expanded 1.5% during the third quarter while nonresidential fixed investment expanded by 2.1% during that period.
BIM and Information Technology | Oct 29, 2015
MIT develops ‘river of 3D pixels’ to assemble objects
The Kinetic Blocks can manipulate objects into shapes without human interference.
Contractors | Oct 28, 2015
Office construction costs highest in New York City, San Francisco, says CBRE
A CBRE report found that New York’s construction costs are more than $500 per sf. San Francisco isn’t too far behind.
Contractors | Oct 16, 2015
ABC report: Confidence rises during the first half of the year
In the first half, sales expectations and profit margin expectations rose while staffing level intentions dipped slightly.
Contractors | Oct 7, 2015
Construction equipment continues to be vulnerable to theft
Poor security and lax inventory control make jobsites sitting ducks for robbers, according to crime-data analysis by LoJack.
Office Buildings | Oct 5, 2015
Renderings revealed for Apple's second 'spaceship': a curvy, lush office complex in Sunnyvale
The project has been dubbed as another “spaceship,” referencing the nickname for the loop-shaped Apple Campus under construction in Cupertino.
Contractors | Oct 2, 2015
OSHA’s top 10 workplace safety violations for 2015
Fall protection, hazard communication lead the list.
