People I’ve worked with.
In their words.

Mat is an outstanding operations leader, team manager, and practice/department head. He excels at bringing order to chaos in demanding environments that require exceptional situational awareness, and I cannot recommend him highly enough.

Mat was Arda's 5th customer and 5th employee; I managed Mat directly

When Mat joined Arda he was tasked with taking over customer success on a low-code/no-code prototype while we were building the standalone product in parallel. This prototype was founder-built, move-fast-break-things, duct-tape-and-glue, incredibly buggy, single-tenant, riddled with ad hoc, customer-specific, tenant-specific fixes, and built on the low-code platform's proprietary language. It was also *completely undocumented*. It was an absolute nightmare to manage and Mat managed to detangle, document, and manage it.

We then asked him to take on a very different challenge: leading an onsite engagement that represented roughly one-third of our revenue and required travel every other week to our largest customer’s headquarters. Mat led the entire project from beginning to end, including the recurring travel logistics and onsite work. We entrusted him with an engagement that mattered enormously to the business, and he carried responsibility for it throughout, resulting in high customer satisfaction and account expansion.

Mat also drew on his Navy experience to deliver significant value in team building, hiring, and culture. His influence extended beyond the projects he personally led to how we built the team and worked together. He also built numerous practical tools that we still use today, leaving a lasting contribution to our day-to-day operations.

These experiences capture what I value most about Mat: he can step into a complicated situation, understand what it demands, and take responsibility for moving the work forward in a way that everyone involved will trust. He brings practical judgment, adaptability, and a strong sense of ownership. I would confidently put him in charge of a team, an operating function, or a complex client engagement. He has my highest, strongest, most unreserved, and full-chested recommendation for any leadership role in operations, customer success, chief of staff, or leader of AI automation at any tech company, but he would excel in a tech company focused on manufacturing.

Mat Hager is the only person on the face of this Earth who could've taken Arda from where we were, with two dudes selling a super-spreadsheet and running around like crazy fixing its problems. Between customer success, team management and building, and gradually adding process to our operation, Mat's contribution was outsized and significant. We wouldn't be close to where we are today without him, and I cannot endorse him highly enough.

I worked with Mat at Arda, where he led onsite customer implementations, helped build our team, and drove AI adoption across the company.

What set Mat apart was how he scoped work. He'd take a messy, half-defined problem, figure out what actually needed to happen, and get it done. At one customer site he took their shop floor from spreadsheets to a live kanban system in 5 days. He also documented everything so thoroughly that the rest of us could pick up his work and keep going without him in the room.

His AI work is a good example of this. Mat built complex internal tools, then created a set of AI workflows that let anyone on the team update and extend those tools safely. People who weren't comfortable with AI started getting great results with it, and several teammates have told me those workflows changed how they work. He didn't just adopt AI himself. He made it usable for everyone around him.

He's organized, thoughtful, and easy to work with. Any team hiring for implementation, operations, or AI enablement would be lucky to have him.

Working with Mat was a wonderful experience. Mat is a true team player, consistently bringing a positive energy, clear communication, and a high-level focus on strategy and outcomes to the table. During our time working together, Mat stepped into a complex role and rapidly mastered a new space with high-stakes outcomes. His ability to navigate ambiguity and creative problem solving allowed him to build and scale complex and highly regulated processes to deliver quality outputs. Mat is an incredibly talented professional who would be a tremendous asset to any team!

I had the pleasure of working with Mat at Arda. Although brief, what I was able to learn from Matt about lean manufacturing principles, how to operate a customer success function, and bolster AI workflows to help support a growing operation was invaluable. Matt brings a deep knowledge of how to assemble highly efficient teams that operate with empathy for each other, care for the customer, and rally around "why" behind each goal.

I had the pleasure of working closely with Mat at Qualtrics from 2021 to 2024 as we built our Healthcare Regulatory business model from the ground up. Mat was instrumental in designing robust technical processes, building a high-performing team of Project Managers and Analysts, and ensuring strict compliance with complex federal guidelines.

Beyond his technical acumen, Mat brings a steady, calm presence to every high-stakes situation. He exudes a balance of deep technical expertise and exceptional people leadership. Mat is one of the most collaborative and resourceful colleagues I’ve ever worked with—no challenge is too complex for him to solve. Any organization would be incredibly fortunate to have Mat on their team!

I worked as a data analyst on Mat’s team at Qualtrics and I can honestly say he is one of the best people leaders I’ve gotten to work for. He was critical to my development as an analyst and now as a people leader myself, I try to follow the example he set.

On his team, the mission was always clear and our responsibilities within the greater organization clearly outlined. Paired with his ability to identify his team members strengths and weaknesses, and ensure folks are plugged into environments where they are most likely to succeed, he was able to take these large abstract asks, dissect where each analyst would be needed, and implement his strategy.

As his direct report, he always encouraged us to take big swings when solving problems. He cares less about the exact road taken and more about the outcome meeting the need. He’d offer guidance and suggest paths, however he was always open to alternative ideas.

His easy going attitude helped take the pressure off when things felt too hectic and he was always available to offer friendly advice or additional support wherever we needed.

Given the opportunity, I’d gladly work for him again. Any team would be lucky to have him!

Mathew demonstrated how effective leadership can positively affect a team’s performance, metrics, and value. By assessing the existing capacity and tool limitations constraining our team’s potential output, he deployed several initiatives that enhanced our team’s production capabilities. Mathew’s efforts increased our team’s efficiency greatly. We were eventually able to completely relieve Engineering Services of a high-visibility, time-sensitive, and client-facing quarterly task. He boosts morale by making himself available to support his team’s challenge, providing feedback, as well as congratulating their accomplishments.

Mathew also empowers his team with superb managerial qualities. I could tell he cared about us individually and took a personal stake in our professional development as well. Even going above and beyond by creating collaborative opportunities between the Data Integrity and Data Science Teams within the organization so that all data professionals could benefit from the cross-team knowledge sharing.

With a powerful data skillset, excellent managerial abilities, and advanced military training, Mathew Hager is a valuable asset to any team.

Introduction

With this letter I strongly endorse Matt Hager-Tomkins’ application to the Navy Nuclear Propulsions Officer Program. I have known Mr. Hager-Tomkins for two and a half years, during which he was a student in my class and a Teaching Assistant (TA) under my supervision.

Trustworthiness

TA positions are normally awarded to graduate students who then grade and judge subordinates. It is rare to award such a position to an undergraduate. However, I knew Matt’s ability from his having taken my class and had a good gauge of his other qualities so I offered him the position.

As class TA Matt was in the position of judging the performance of his own colleagues; he graded homework, projects, exams and final exams. Matt performed this task with impartiality.

Entering this data was an onerous task for a faculty member, so I also enabled Matt with instructor access to the grading system. I will admit that caution was my guide and in his first two semesters, I felt obligated to inspect if he was being fair and balanced. I am delighted to say that all my concerns vanished after the first year. For the following two years, he performed this task with honesty and trustworthiness. Thus I can assess — with experience — that he exceeded this criteria.

Adaptability

Throughout the evolution of this course I attempted various new instructional methods. First, I deployed synchronous learning methods; and later I supplemented this with asynchronous recorded methods. I continually revised learning instructional materials. And last summer I taught the course fully on-line for the first time.

It is not the obligation of a class TA to remain abreast of evolving instructional technologies; it is only his job to grade. However, Matt demonstrated an ability to adapt to all of my evolving approaches and still fulfill his obligations. He mastered each new technology and often participated in the class discussion to ensure that everything flowed smoothly.

As this country moves into an unchartered world, it is clear that it will face new challenges that require the skills to adapt to new technologies and, perhaps, cultures. This country needs people who can adapt evolving protocols and master them. Matt evinced the skills needed for leadership in a world that appears be undergoing great change.

Ability to work well with others

There are three aspects to working well with others: 1) working with subordinates; 2) working with colleagues; and 3) working with superiors. In all three cases Matt demonstrated qualities that met and exceeded this character trait.

Subordinates: Students often complain about grades. I am extremely pleased to inform you that when faced with such situations while grading, Matt stood his ground. However, he did so with utmost respect for the students. In one such encounter, the student demanded a grade increase. However, Matt stood firmly, stated the reasons for his assessment with complete and confident composure and self-assurance, and informed the student that he was unable to honor the request.

Colleagues: While he was the TA, I treated Matt like a colleague. I solicited his advice and opinion often. He provided it readily and also with respect. In addition I have seen him interact with classmates — and he was consistently collegial.

Superiors: In an odd twist, this past semester, Matt was a student again in one of my classes. He received an A. During this time, he ceased calling me Tom and returned to calling me Professor Impelluso. This demonstrated his respect for superiors and the ability to work with them; and it also demonstrated his ability to maintain that level of respect under conditions of evolving authority.

Initiative

“Initiative” is a problematic quality; one desires this trait, but it comes with its companion: “overzealousness.”

First, Matt demonstrated initiative by providing his email address to students and offering to tutor them when necessary.

But more important, Matt was able to assess himself. During the start of last semester I was asked to teach a course in Dynamics; this is an advanced course, and assisting in its delivery would highlight any resume. I asked Matt if he wanted to TA this course and he declined. He recognized his own limits and took the initiative to decline such a position.

Matt has demonstrated the initiative to take on work when he knows he can do it, and the initiative to decline it when he knows he cannot. This is a rare and valuable quality.

Judgment

When he completes his degree I will ask Matt to suggest a student to replace him. I completely trust his judgment.

During the semester I would make up exams and send them to Matt for his inspection. I relied on his judgment of whether the exams were too tough or too easy. In his capacity as class TA he was able to monitor the progress of the students and exercise good judgment on what they were capable of doing. And he reported this to me regularly.

In addition, as I deployed new methods, Matt was able to self-assess — a rare quality indeed, and one which necessitates honesty. I returned from summer vacation late last summer and asked him if he would feel comfortable teaching the class for the first week. However, he recognized that I had been deploying even more instructional technologies and honestly judged that he was not ready to do this. I value this aspect of judgment: honest self-assessment.

Leadership

Leadership is a multi-faceted quality. There is one aspect that is evinced when a person takes command of a group of people. I am unable to assess Matt in this area, but only because I have not witnessed it. (I strongly suspect he will excel in this facet of leadership for I believe he has the qualities. For example, I understand he is the vice-project manager for a student project, but, by and large, this is beyond the scope of my assessment).

However there is a second facet to leadership — a quiet, modest and profound leadership which enables others to also lead; which support others, without jealousy, in their quest for advancement.

Matt was a TA for a computer programming course. This course is notoriously difficult for one reason: a student might be 99% finished with the code, but have one simple error that prevents formal completion. On his own initiative and with respect for me, Matt took on a leadership role in the class. He spoke firmly before the entire class and gained the respect of nearly one hundred students. He volunteered to make his email address accessible so that he could receive questions and answer them. This took a tremendous burden off me and enabled me to work in other areas. In short, his leadership ability enhanced my own ability to lead. This is a rare quality and I am proud to have seen Matt demonstrate it.

Maturity

Earlier, I mentioned how Matt, after first being a student, then working for me, soon found himself to be my student again. This demonstrated his ability to work with others (as I have said before) and it is a further indication of his maturity. It is not easy to work in an area when the ranking is fluid and evolving, for this requires a maturity to recognize the changing nature of work.

Dependability

I was able to depend on Matt to complete all of his grading in a timely fashion. I was able to depend upon him to enter all of the grades with honesty.

Ninety percent of the time, Matt was able to complete the grading of all students. But Matt is, after all, a student himself. And, as such, has his own obligations — sometimes all of us are late and this is life. However, on the occasions where he was late, Matt communicated this to me in advance. Thus, I was able to inform the students there would be slight delay in the return of the exams.

“Dependability” is not simply being able to complete an assigned task, but also recognizing when a schedule is excessive and, in such times, informing one’s superiors, colleagues and even subordinates.

Summary

As I re-read this letter, I recognize that some of the examples I have given provide evidence for several qualities, yet I have done my best to group them where I see they best belong.

However, the fact is that once a personality reaches to a certain level, goodness imbues the soul and qualities overlap. I believe this is the case with Matt Hager-Tomkins.

I will readily admit my fear for the future of this country as we are propelled into an uncertain political and economic world. However, there come moments when I am more positive about things, and this is one such time.

With men like Matt at the helm of the future I can be assured that when my time is up, that my own children will live in a country where men like Matt protect them. I anticipate the day when I am a doddering old man who can barely see two feet in front, but can look back to a time when a much younger man named Matt Hager-Tomkins began his life’s journey to a position of leadership.

Thank you for this opportunity to share my thoughts and feelings. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any further assistance.