River City Six – Matt Rowe
Meet Matt Rowe, account manager for Engineered Controls (engineeredcontrols.com).
Tell us a little about your business.
As a leading building control technology contractor, Engineered Controls’ goal is to provide customers with products and services to create efficient, safe and comfortable building environments. Engineered Controls offers complete turnkey building control solutions including system design, new construction and owner-direct retrofit sales, installation, repair service, and preventative maintenance work for smart buildings. With offices in Omaha and Lincoln, Engineered Controls employs over 90 people throughout Nebraska and our employees collectively represent over 825 years of industry experience. Combined with our hands-on experience, our clients receive the most cost-effective and professional service possible.
How did you get started in the business?
My start in the business came after high school. My father was in the business for 30 years and heard that a local company was looking for additional help. I started on the electrical side of the business in installations, and over the years have moved to more technical roles in service and programming. Currently I am working as an account manager, which gives me the ability to influence projects more on the design side using the experience I have gained throughout the years.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?
Our industry is very technical and changes very quickly. Keeping up to date on the latest industry trends, new product developments, and software improvements is a challenge, but it is a must for me and our company to do this to stay relevant in the market.
Tell us a little about your family.
I have been married to my wife Missi since 2001. Missi currently works in the main office at Wilson Middle School in Council Bluffs. We have one boy, Tucker, who is now 17 and attends Iowa Western Community College as part of the early college academy.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
The first one that comes to mind was my dad talking me into giving the controls industry a try, which has turned out to be an exciting career path.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
I like to spend my free time either on the golf course or out on the lake fishing. We take many weekend trips to great walleye lakes around the Midwest as well as a yearly trip to Lake Michigan for salmon fishing. This year we are planning on making an additional trip to Lake Erie for spring walleye. Tucker plays High School baseball, so I enjoy watching his games whenever I get the opportunity.
What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Integrity, because it matters what you do when people are not looking”.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be?
Being successful in the hunting or fishing industries. The outdoors has always been a big part of my life, and to be able to make a living doing this would be a dream come true.
What is your favorite movie?
I am a big fan of the Star Wars movies. I have seen every one of these movies multiple times.
What is your favorite TV show?
There are quite a few shows that I currently watch. Some of my favorites are Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and Chicago P.D. followed up by Criminal Minds and Seal Team.
What is your favorite local restaurant?
The Drover.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
Phone: (402) 339-1300; Email: mrowe@engineeredcontrols.com; Website: engineeredcontrols.com.