Matt Fox is filling two important roles in the local business community, and those who know him say he is doing both well.
Fox, 49, Duncansville, is Altoona Blair County Development Corp.’s director of business expansion and coordinates the outreach efforts of the organization as well as the organization’s business expansion and retention program. He also serves as an entrepreneurial coach for the Startup Alleghenies program.
Fox, who grew up in Carlisle until his family moved to Northern Virginia when he was a teenager, said he was always interested in a career in advertising and marketing.
His father, Bob, had opened a small picture framing business — Fox Framing — in their home. He learned at an early age the value of professionalism and hard work.
“I saw my dad doing marketing; it seemed like it would be something fun,” Fox said.
After graduating from Penn State in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in communications, Fox worked for several small advertising and marketing companies in northern Virginia before moving to Blair County in 2005.
In 2007, he saw an ad in the Altoona Mirror for a marketing position at ABCD Corp.
Then president/CEO Marty Marasco hired Fox for the position of marketing manager, and he has been there ever since.
“I had been in marketing and advertising for other clients pushing products or programs. I thought it would be easier to market the place where you live better, to sell the place you love, to get other people to love it. I had the skill sets, selling the area rather than an event seemed intriguing. I had conversations with Marty, the workplace was like a family. The support system was good. Marty was in the head role. I wanted to work for him,” Fox said.
Fox said he is in the same position today, but the title has changed and he has more responsibilities.
“We were doing site selections to get companies to come here, trying to attract companies such as Gardner Denver. Now the majority of my time is spent with local companies making sure they continue to thrive. I am doing business retention more than business attraction,” Fox said. “I love getting to meet the small businesses, I like being surprised by the small businesses and the good things going on here. I love to see them succeed and grow.”
Both Marasco and current President/CEO Stephen McKnight speak highly of Fox.
“He has been a very positive influence on the organization and has made some major contributions over the years. Matt wanted to advance himself and became a certified economic development professional. Matt is a very intelligent person, very caring and contributed greatly to the organization over the years. He does a very good job,” Marasco said.
“Matt has and continues to play a critical role, in connecting people with projects and bringing investment opportunities to the table. He knows the community and is someone who is active outside of the office to connect people with the resources they need. He has made a recognized impact to our board and team as well as other organizations in which he has volunteered his time,” McKnight said.
Fox moved into the role as an entrepreneurial coach when Rick Lasek left the position just prior to the coronavirus pandemic. He said the role was to be temporary but has become permanent.
“It is the same as what I was doing for larger companies, the needs are the same. I may not have all of the answers but have someone to answer their questions to help them grow. It is all about relationships. People here in Blair County are pretty open about helping people succeed,” Fox said.
He said he helps entrepreneurs from an idea for a business to getting them up and running.
“So much of it is knowing the people in the area, knowing them as people, not a company. A lot of entrepreneurs have questions. They come to us when they need help with things like location, to payroll support, to legal questions. I listen to the questions they have and assist them in any way we can by finding them the right resources,” Fox said. “You get them the resources, but they have to do the hard work. The successes are theirs, not ours. We are on the sidelines to help out.”
Fox is a good coach, said Debbi Prosser, director of business development for the Southern Alleghenies Planning & Development Commission.
“Matt is honest and determined to assist new and emerging small businesses. He asks hard questions and the process of discovering the answers helps position the startup businesses for greater success. He doesn’t always have the answers himself, but he can provide the road map to find the answers,” Prosser said. “Matt’s determination to succeed, his thought process that is always grounded in reality, his commitment to the team, all ships rise philosophy and his authentic desire to help small businesses succeed have all greatly contributed to the success of Startup Alleghenies.”
Darin Tornatore, co-owner and director of operations for Keystone Environmental Health and Safety Services, said Fox has the qualities which make him a good coach.
“Matt is also a great dad as well as husband. These personal strengths along with his business acumen make Matt a strong coach to our business community. Through his “coaching” techniques, he knows a company’s strengths and weaknesses and has helped many overcome business hurdles in this crazy business climate,” Tornatore said.
Fox called his parents Bob and Kathy as well as Masaco and the late Patrick Miller, longtime ABCD Corp. executive vice president as his role models .
“Being here with Pat and Marty, just watching them, the inherent knowledge. The love and respect doing what they did for the community. Iit was genuine,” Fox said.
Fox said he plans to remain at ABCD Corp. for the foreseeable future.
“I love the people here and what I do, we work together, it is more like family rather than just co-workers,” Fox said.
Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.
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Duncansville resident Fox dons many hats in role with ABCD Corp. - Altoona Mirror
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