Matt Stoops is December’s Featured Associate! As a Construction Engineer at Sain, Matt does inspections on roadway projects for cities and counties. He enjoys how efficient and timely Sain is in their in-house processes and decision making. Matt’s favorite project so far has been the Prattville IAR project.

We asked Matt a few questions to get to know him a little better:

Q: Tell us a little about yourself. 

A: I grew up north of Dallas and went to school at UT (Texas). I did 12 years with TxDOT in Waco, Houston, and Fort Worth.  I met Christine, my wife, on a mission trip and we married 3 years later. She is from Vestavia. 

Q:  Tell us a little bit about your family. 

A: We have 2 kids – Ellie is 3 and Paul is 1.  My family is mostly back in Texas, but a few live in California. Christine’s family is around Birmingham. 

Q:  Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us? 

A: I like doing my own work on vehicles when I can.  When my trucks get over 200k miles, I’ll go down in the engine pretty deep for a repair.  I’ve done 3-cylinder head or head gasket jobs where the engine is opened enough to see the inside of the cylinder.     

Q: What book did you read last? 

A: I need to read more.  It’s been a few years since I finished one.  John Maxwell’s leadership book was the last book I completely read. I used to read a lot of books on black jack & card counting, real estate, and investing, but then I had kids. 

Q: What did you want to be when growing up? 

A: A pilot. I did get my pilot license in my 20’s (that was expensive).  I was still considering a career change, but then I landed at TxDOT and enjoyed the road construction.    

Q:  What is your favorite sport? Team? 

A: Now, living over here in SEC land, I’m much more into college football than while in Texas.  It is infecting.  I follow UT (Texas that is) – it appears we’re back this year.    

Q: What is your hidden talent? 

A: Juggling.