Matt oversees the day-to-day operations of the plant, which includes scheduling crews and determining who will handle each vault or monument setup and where they need to be. He also works with funeral directors and cemetery personnel when questions or concerns arise.

Matt says, “I spent over 20 years at Watts working in the field, so I have a lot of hands-on experience with both vault and monument setups. That experience comes in handy when our crews encounter a problem at a cemetery, especially when weather or site conditions are challenging.” Matt’s experience eventually led him into his current position as Plant Supervisor at the Des Moines location, where he strives to make each customer happy with the service Watts provides.

Matt adds, “Watts has become a family connection as well. My son Jake now works at the Montezuma location and is beginning his own career with the company much the same way I did all those years ago.”

The sudden death of Matt’s father Danny had a profound impact on him. “Going through a loss like that gives you a different perspective on the work we do,” Matt says. “When you're the family grieving, you probably don't even notice the person from the vault company. We're there to make sure everything is ready, help guide the casket onto the lowering device, and then quietly step away. If everything goes as it should, the family may never really think about us—and that's okay. Their attention should be on their loved one and saying goodbye. Over the years, I've had the responsibility of setting vaults for members of my own family, my wife's family, family friends, and many other people we've known and cared about. Those are never just another job.”

Matt’s friends and family often come to him with questions about what happens at the cemetery or what to expect. He hopes they take comfort in knowing that Matt or Jake will be at the cemetery helping take care of that final goodbye.

Matt and Jennifer, his wife of 27 years, have lived in Brooklyn, Iowa, for nearly 17 years. Their daughter Kayla, her husband Cole, and their two daughters Hattie and Sadie live in Brooklyn, and son Jake lives in Montezuma. “Having our kids and grandkids nearby and getting to spend so much time together is something we don't take for granted,” Matt says.

Outside of work, Matt enjoys camping, fishing, spending time with family, and cheering on the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Steelers. These days, one of Matt’s favorite titles is “Papa.” He loves teaching Hattie and Sadie fishing, playing ball with them in the backyard, and watching them grow up.