Matt worked his way up – from salt delivery to service, then to service manager. “I had a lot of fun doing deliveries. It was a good time,” he recalls. But once he got into installs and service, he realized how much there was to learn. “I gravitated toward problem-solving.”
Transitioning into management wasn’t easy. “I never had management experience before. It took a long time to understand what it meant to be a manager,” Matt says. But through experience, he learned a crucial lesson that would prepare him for ownership: Always get all the information before making a decision. “Whether it’s a good decision or a hard one, try to see it from both sides – as the company and as the employee”
Over the years, Matt collected stories and memories that reinforced the family – oriented culture of Douglas Water Conditioning. That sense of connection is something he values deeply. “It’s the family and friend type feel.” he says. His biggest advice to employees? Never stop growing.
Like many of the owners, Matt enjoys the great outdoors. His favorite pastime? Camping. His go to spot is Walden Woods. “I love the relaxation and the disconnect from electronics. Walden Woods is close to home, but feels very far away at times.
Matt’s kids have shown interest in what he does at Douglas. “I think that’s why my daughter got into the medical field. Her mom is in medicine, and she enjoys helping people. I just help people in a different way – taking care of your water is very important”
When Matt looks back on his career, he’s most proud of watching employees grow from knowing nothing – just like he once did – to becoming successful salespeople and front office staff.
Beyond water treatment, one of the biggest lessons he’s learned is how to read people and be more personable. “I feel like everyone knows that I’m here not only for my gain, but for everyone else’s. That comes with its good and bad. When I started here, Mike’s dad Doug and Jason’s dad Jerry, made me feel like I was part of the family. I always wanted to do better, even now. My love for this company and what I do goes back to those first years when I had no experience whatsoever.”
