Matt Jacobson
Encyclopedia
Matthew C. Jacobson is an American
politician
and business executive, currently serving as the President and CEO of Maine & Company, a private, non-profit corporation which aims to attract and grow Maine businesses. On May 7, 2009, Jacobson, a Republican
, announced that he will be seeking the 2010 Republican nomination
for Governor of Maine
.
, graduating in 1984. He continued his education, earning an MBA from Chapman University
in 1992.
, where he logged over 3,000 hours of flight time in various aircraft, the bulk of which was with the C-130 Hercules
. He also served as a flight instructor and evaluator pilot. He was given discharge from active duty
in April 1991, after which he continued to serve in the Air Force active reserve until March 2000.
of the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad, headquartered in Auburn, Maine
. He spent four years in the position, presiding over a massive expansion of revenue for the railroad and the addition of 23 new businesses to its line. During his tenure, the railroad was named North America's best Shortline Railroad by Railway Age Magazine.
to become President and Chief Executive Officer
of Maine & Company, a non-profit corporation whose staff provides free and confidential services to companies locating to or growing in Maine, taking over for Joe Wischerath, who'd served as CEO since Maine & Co. was founded in November 1995.
As the organization chief executive, Jacobson is responsible for developing and executing business attraction and expansion strategies. To that end, he engages with corporate executives, state and local authorities, as well as other stakeholders. Jacobson changed the organization's focus from a passive go between helping businesses already interested in coming to Maine, to one which actively courted specific companies to attract them to the state.
In his tenure, several major companies have relocated to the state. Among these were NotifyMD, athenahealth
and Boston Financial Data Services, which have contributed more than 1,500 new jobs to the state. Jacobson himself has been credited with facilitating these moves, with Mainebiz specifically citing him as the reason athenahealth chose to move to Belfast, ME rather than Burlington, VT.
began to swirl in mid to late 2008, well before the year's presidential election
. Jacobson's name was widely discussed for a potential bid for the Republican
nomination as early as September, 2008, but he made no formal announcement regarding his interest until much later.
On February 26, 2009, Jacobson announced that he was forming an exploratory committee to examine the prospects of running for Governor of Maine.
On May 7, 2009, Jacobson made his candidacy official, announcing his run at the Ocean Gateway terminal in Portland.
On July 15, 2009, gubernatorial candidates filed their financial disclosures with the state's Ethics Commission. Jacobson reported raising $38,290 with $10,008 cash on hand.
with his wife and two children - Hank and Maggie, both of whom are adopted. He married Dr. Kemedy Kathryn McQuillen at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Boothbay Harbor on May 30, 1998.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and business executive, currently serving as the President and CEO of Maine & Company, a private, non-profit corporation which aims to attract and grow Maine businesses. On May 7, 2009, Jacobson, a Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
, announced that he will be seeking the 2010 Republican nomination
Maine gubernatorial election, 2010
The 2010 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Democratic Governor John Baldacci was term-limited and unable to seek re-election. Primary elections took place on June 8, 2010...
for Governor of Maine
Governor of Maine
The governor of Maine is the chief executive of the State of Maine. Before Maine was admitted to the Union in 1820, Maine was part of Massachusetts and the governor of Massachusetts was chief executive....
.
Early life and education
Jacobson attended the United States Naval AcademyUnited States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
, graduating in 1984. He continued his education, earning an MBA from Chapman University
Chapman University
Chapman University is a private, non-profit university located in Orange, California affiliated with the Christian Church . Known for its blend of liberal arts and professional programs, Chapman University encompasses seven schools and colleges: Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media...
in 1992.
Military service
Following his graduation from the Naval Academy, Jacobson was a pilot in the United States Air ForceUnited States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, where he logged over 3,000 hours of flight time in various aircraft, the bulk of which was with the C-130 Hercules
C-130 Hercules
The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
. He also served as a flight instructor and evaluator pilot. He was given discharge from active duty
Active duty
Active duty refers to a full-time occupation as part of a military force, as opposed to reserve duty.-Pakistan:The Pakistan Armed Forces are one of the largest active service forces in the world with almost 610,000 full time personnel due to the complex and volatile nature of Pakistan's...
in April 1991, after which he continued to serve in the Air Force active reserve until March 2000.
St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad
In 1996, Jacobson was hired as the President and COOChief operating officer
A Chief Operating Officer or Director of Operations can be one of the highest-ranking executives in an organization and comprises part of the "C-Suite"...
of the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad, headquartered in Auburn, Maine
Auburn, Maine
Auburn is a city in and the county seat of Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 23,055 at the 2010 census. It is one of two principal cities of and included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan...
. He spent four years in the position, presiding over a massive expansion of revenue for the railroad and the addition of 23 new businesses to its line. During his tenure, the railroad was named North America's best Shortline Railroad by Railway Age Magazine.
Canadian National Railways
Following his time at St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad, Jacobson moved to Chicago, where he served as Assistant to the Vice President for Sales and Marketing for Canadian National Railways. In his time with CNR, he was primarily responsible for International and North America Intermodal sales and marketing.Maine & Company
In 2006, Jacobson returned to MaineMaine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
to become President and Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of Maine & Company, a non-profit corporation whose staff provides free and confidential services to companies locating to or growing in Maine, taking over for Joe Wischerath, who'd served as CEO since Maine & Co. was founded in November 1995.
As the organization chief executive, Jacobson is responsible for developing and executing business attraction and expansion strategies. To that end, he engages with corporate executives, state and local authorities, as well as other stakeholders. Jacobson changed the organization's focus from a passive go between helping businesses already interested in coming to Maine, to one which actively courted specific companies to attract them to the state.
In his tenure, several major companies have relocated to the state. Among these were NotifyMD, athenahealth
Athenahealth
athenahealth, Inc. is a publicly traded American company that provides physician practices with online practice management and electronic medical record software, combined with medical billing and other healthcare business services...
and Boston Financial Data Services, which have contributed more than 1,500 new jobs to the state. Jacobson himself has been credited with facilitating these moves, with Mainebiz specifically citing him as the reason athenahealth chose to move to Belfast, ME rather than Burlington, VT.
2010 bid for Governor of Maine
Speculation surrounding potential candidates for Maine's 2010 gubernatorial electionMaine gubernatorial election, 2010
The 2010 Maine gubernatorial election took place on November 2, 2010. Incumbent Democratic Governor John Baldacci was term-limited and unable to seek re-election. Primary elections took place on June 8, 2010...
began to swirl in mid to late 2008, well before the year's presidential election
United States presidential election, 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
. Jacobson's name was widely discussed for a potential bid for the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
nomination as early as September, 2008, but he made no formal announcement regarding his interest until much later.
On February 26, 2009, Jacobson announced that he was forming an exploratory committee to examine the prospects of running for Governor of Maine.
On May 7, 2009, Jacobson made his candidacy official, announcing his run at the Ocean Gateway terminal in Portland.
On July 15, 2009, gubernatorial candidates filed their financial disclosures with the state's Ethics Commission. Jacobson reported raising $38,290 with $10,008 cash on hand.
Personal life and family
Jacobson lives in Cumberland, MaineCumberland, Maine
Cumberland is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The population was 7,211 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
with his wife and two children - Hank and Maggie, both of whom are adopted. He married Dr. Kemedy Kathryn McQuillen at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Boothbay Harbor on May 30, 1998.
External links
- Jacobson For Governor - Official Gubernatorial Campaign Site
- Maine & Company - Maine and Company Home Page
- Maine & Company (Staff) - Biography Page from Maine & Company
- Pine Tree Politics - Article about Jacobson's Announced Run for Governor