Experience

VOX Global

• United States
• Public Relations and Communications Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Vice President and Senior Partner

  • Nov 2006 - Present

  Matthews develops communications strategies for clients who want to improve their reputations, influence public opinion, or affect public policy. A longtime political veteran and communications expert, he understands what motivates high level stakeholders, consumers and policy makers and he finds the most effective ways to influence them. With more than 25 years of experience working for some of the best known corporations, nonprofits, trade associations and universities, Matthews is an expert at building approaches that include all aspects of communications including media, grassroots, digital advocacy and content. Show less



University of Virginia

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Guest Lecturer, Meriwether Lewis Institute for Citizen Leadership

  • Jun 2015 - Present

  Teach classes on strategic communications and media relations. Teach classes on strategic communications and media relations.



United States Senate

• Legislative Offices
• 700 & Above Employee

• Director of Communications, Senator Gordon H. Smith

  • Oct 2000 - Nov 2006

  Responsible for designing and implementing communication plans; writing, editing, and approving content on the senator’s web site; and directing PR initiatives including mass mail drives, interest group e-mail communications, and Internet activities. Generated media coverage to advance the senator’s political goals and policies, provided coaching for media interviews, and served as an advisor in policy and political decisions. Responsible for designing and implementing communication plans; writing, editing, and approving content on the senator’s web site; and directing PR initiatives including mass mail drives, interest group e-mail communications, and Internet activities. Generated media coverage to advance the senator’s political goals and policies, provided coaching for media interviews, and served as an advisor in policy and political decisions.



U.S. House of Representatives

• United States
• Legislative Offices
• 700 & Above Employee

• Communications Director/Press Secretary, Committee on Agriculture

  • Apr 1998 - Oct 2000

  Directed communications activities for this congressional committee that oversees legislation involving agriculture, forestry, nutrition, water conservation, and other agriculture-related fields; also served as principal legislative advisor on foreign relations, national security, and economic issues to U.S. Representative Robert F. Smith, the Chairman of the U.S. Committee on Agriculture (1997-1999). Directed communications activities for this congressional committee that oversees legislation involving agriculture, forestry, nutrition, water conservation, and other agriculture-related fields; also served as principal legislative advisor on foreign relations, national security, and economic issues to U.S. Representative Robert F. Smith, the Chairman of the U.S. Committee on Agriculture (1997-1999).



U.S. House of Representatives

• United States
• Legislative Offices
• 700 & Above Employee

• Press Secretary, Representative Wes Cooley

  • Feb 1995 - Jan 1997

  Provided legislative support and served as the chief spokesperson for Wes Cooley, U.S. Congressman from Oregon. In charge of generating media coverage, writing speeches, issuing news releases, writing opinion editorials, and drafting public statements. Directly interfaced with members of the media. Provided legislative support and served as the chief spokesperson for Wes Cooley, U.S. Congressman from Oregon. In charge of generating media coverage, writing speeches, issuing news releases, writing opinion editorials, and drafting public statements. Directly interfaced with members of the media.