Biography
As a Speaker
Matt is a featured subject matter expert at a variety of industry venues including SIAA meetings, Master Agency regional meetings, and state associations, in addition to presenting to insurance company field, sales and management organizations, as well as Boards of Directors for insurance carriers, including several Fortune 500 companies.
More about Matt
Matt was named to the Board of Trustees at Tilton School in 2016 serving on the Executive Committee, Finance & Investment Committee and as Chair for the Admissions and Marketing Committee.
Matt resides in the New Hampshire Seacoast with his wife and three sons. When not working or at school, they can be found hiking, skiing, boating, and fishing.
In his tenure with SIAA and the insurance industry, Matt has:
- Developed SIAA’s internal operations and strategic direction, establishing SIAA as an independent insurance agency distribution channel.
- Engaged all 48 SIAA Master Agencies in the implementation, operations and growth of their organizations, based on the systems and experience developed in SAN Group.
- Consulted with Strategic Partner Companies in developing and deepening relationships with SIAA and the Master Agencies across the U.S.
- Guided SIAA to being ranked number one in Insurance Journal’s Top 20 Agency Partnerships in their annual Top 100 Report.
- Received the Insurance Business America Hot 100 Award in 2017, which recognizes leaders for shaping the future of the insurance industry. The Hot 100 is a list of the hottest influencers, innovators, and game-changers in America’s insurance industry and is comprised of those who have been nominated by their peers for their influential work in the industry.
- Transitioned SIAA from a family business to a private equity owned business that continues to support constituents while growing organically and through acquisitions.
- SIAA now has over 300 employees in 11 states and has completed over 20 acquisitions.
Nonprofit and Charity Work:
Matt has worked professionally and personally to raise over $600,000 since 2016 for organizations such as Wounded Warriors Project, Veterans Count, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, and The Jimmy Fund.
In 2013, Matt’s wife Martha was diagnosed with breast cancer. With a clean bill of health today, Matt and Martha set their sights on supporting the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund in Boston Massachusetts.
In 2018, they established the Matthew & Martha Family Fund supporting the Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapy and Healthy Living. The Zakim Center is dedicated to the belief that cancer patients can enhance their quality of life through integrative therapies such as acupuncture and massage, and healthy living programs such as exercise and nutrition counseling.
In addition to this institutional work, the Matt & Martha Masiello Family Fund supports numerous other local and grassroots organizations across various causes in NH.
Matt also teamed up with SIAA to found and host “A Pink Evening in Boston with SIAA.” This annual event serves as the kickoff to the SIAA National Business Meeting raising funds for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund. Each October since 2017, over 350 insurance professionals and their guests attend and generously contribute in direct support of Dana-Farber cancer research and patient care. This event has raised over $400,000 to date.
On This Day 30 Years Ago: What I've Learned
(LinkedIn May 28, 2023) On May 28, 1993, I walked into my father’s insurance agency which housed a new business concept supporting independent agencies. SAN Group (Satellite Agency Network Group) was 5 cubicles in the back of the office. I was employee #5 and we had 28 member agencies. In a few years, SAN would become the foundation of SIAA’s national model.
I was a mediocre student, a mediocre athlete and really didn’t know what I wanted to do. I did know that I needed to work. I arrived on my first day wearing a hand me down blue suit and tie, penny loafers affectionately adorned with the pennies, holes in the soles and a toe sticking out.
That day I made a commitment to myself that I would strive to be the best at the career I was beginning, wherever it took me. I’d work harder, smarter (where I could!) and more hours. I’d listen, learn, and strive to be the best at whatever I did. No more mediocrity. While I am not sure if I achieved that goal, I do know that I have learned some great lessons over 30 years:
Your wife, husband, partner and kids must come first. While work and business are important, that foundation and support system is what motivates you, makes you successful and gives you something to come home to. That is your North Star.
Listen and observe. No one ever learned anything from talking. This includes taking a few moments to have a personal conversation even with business on the mind.
Mentors matter. You’ll look back and see that you had significant, insignificant, short-term and long-term mentors. Many times, you didn’t even know they were a mentor until you look back at the lessons that formed your career.
Not all who influence you will be positive role models. You can learn just as much from what NOT to do by watching others. We can learn from other’s mistakes, not just our own. We can learn how to treat people by seeing how others fail at that skill.
Always be willing to learn, listen to others, don’t be afraid to ask questions and take criticism or re-direction, as hard as it can be. Surround yourself with smarter people. You don’t have to know it all, you just need a team that covers each other’s blind spots.
Humans are a difficult species, but we cannot have business or personal success without those around us. Find common ground and build success together.
If you are in a leadership role, know this: The people around you are watching. What you do, what you say, how you treat others and how you behave does matter.
I’d be lying if I said I get this right every time, but I’ll tell you that these are the standards I aim to meet….30 years into this journey. I bet I have more to learn.
Strive to be your best.
Locally, Matt and SIAA Support Veteran’s Count
The philanthropic arm of Easterseals Military and Veterans Services, which provides resources and services to veterans, service members, and their families. This one-of-a-kind program has a proven track record of helping service members and their families with a wide range of family, personal, and financial needs. In 2018, SIAA was presented a sculptured bald eagle to recognize the company’s donation to provide direct care to veterans and their families. Special guests included Brigadier General Don Bolduc from Laconia, NH. Bolduc, former commander of American Special Operations Forces in Africa, and once a Green Beret in the Army’s Special Forces, is now retired from the military.
