Mathew had an admirable work eithic. He began working at the early age of 14. Mat had a strong beleif that a mans charachter was based on how hard he worked.
While he had several jobs as a young man, his career path began when he went to work for Interstate Brands Co. While he started by working the lines, he began crawling the ladder by making it to lead mixer and eventually to a Sales Representative. While Mathew was working full time, he knew he wanted more out of life so he began going to college at the University of Phoenix. He knew that furthering his education would help him achieve his career goals. After working with IBC over 10 years, he knew it was time for him to put the education he aquired to use and further his career.
In 2007 he began his career Journey with Ecolab. From the first interview he had at Ecolab, he knew this was a company he wanted to grow with. He told me he knew they had the oportunities he needed and was excited to find a company that he was going to work hard, grow and eventually retire with. Mathew gained so much more than he ever expected working for Ecolab. He gained new friendships, which was not unheard of because anyone who knows Mat knows he is a funny, yet dependable friend you could always count on. Mathew also gained confidence. His career gave him the oportunity to share his opinion, ideas and knowledge. Mathew loved to help his coworkers and clients. Most importantly, his career gave him respect. Ecolab is the type of company that shows how much they value thier employees, that alone gave Mat more ambition to do his best and achieve his goals. One of Mat's proudest days was when he was offered a promotion as a Teritory Sales Manager. He loved it so much that each evening before bed, he would take his time to select which shirt and tie to wear so that I could have it pressed and prepared by morning for him. For Mathew, to have a career to wear a tie everyday was an acheivement. He felt that ties represent respect an honor. I must admit he looked his best clean shaved and 'suited up' as he would call it.
All of Mathews hard work had taken its toll on his spine. With three desentigrated disks in his lower spine and two buldging in his neck, he was advised by doctors that they could help him, but at the cost of his job. In order for them to help him would mean that his spine would be fused, he would have limited mobility and would no longer be able to work. Mathew did not consider this an option. His work ethic was so strong that he would rather suffer with pain and working than to not be able to work. Not being able to work was not an option at all to Mat.
Mathews work ethic was one of his many admirable attributes, as any one who knew him would agree.