Dr. Matt Swanson is proud to support Florida’s economy, communities, and workforce as Chief Operating Officer (COO) at FloridaCommerce. He prioritizes effective operational collaboration agencywide that enables the agency to empower its team of over 1,500 employees as well as Floridians and their communities, to flourish. Matt continuously ensures the department’s resources, including its $2.3 billion budget, are deployed efficiently and effectively. He provides strategic direction and operational leadership throughout the agency, fostering a culture of innovation and learning, while driving initiatives to enhance operational effectiveness and agility. Matt is driven by complex challenges and thrives on reimagining possibilities to achieve results. In his role as COO of FloridaCommerce, Matt also serves as the Interim President of SelectFlorida, Florida’s international commerce agency, and as Vice President and Treasurer of the Florida Opportunity Fund, Florida’s venture capital organization. In these roles he supports business development and advancement, Florida’s economic development goals, and ensures strategical alignment among programs. Matt translates organizational vision into actionable plans, driving performance improvement and delivering added value to stakeholders. Prior to his appointment as COO, Matt was the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Enterprise Florida. He was instrumental in several key initiatives including the implementation of H.B. 5, which streamlined Florida’s economic development programs, consolidated Enterprise Florida, and the Department of Economic Opportunity into a new Florida Department of Commerce, and established SelectFlorida. At Enterprise Florida Matt improved employee recruitment and retention through the development of new benefit and leave programs. He also led the charge in modernizing operations andimplementing structures designed to drive business and economic growth throughout the state. Matt previously served as the Controller for Bravado Health and held key leadership positions in public and private higher education including Vice President of Finance and Business Operations for Jacksonville University and Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer for Fletcher Technical Community College. Matt holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management, a Master of Business Administration, and a Doctor of Business Administration. Originally from Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, Matt lives in Tallahassee, Florida with his wife, Emily. In his spare time Matt enjoys spending time with family and friends, supporting Florida’s local restaurants, and visiting Florida’s beaches. Matt is a baseball fan, favoring the Baltimore Orioles, and is working toward a goal of attending a game in every major league baseball stadium.