When Matt Blackmar first signed on with us at ER2 back in 2014, it was clear that he was a talented go-getter with a whole lot of ambition. What we didn’t expect was how quickly he’d advance in his own career and personal goals! Matt started off as a graphic designer, which lead in to his current role as account executive.
The Road to Success
Matt started off at design school at the College of DuPage, where he discovered his passion for this industry. Soon after, he joined the ER2 family after he heard about us from one of our current designers, Joel Gonzales. Matt now has over 16 years in the signage industry, and says designing and seeing a finished physical product is what keeps him inspired and moving forward. His favorite part about his job is that no two days are the same. He says it’s fun to accept new challenges and push himself to a higher level of personal growth and development.
Personalized Approach to Leadership
When it comes down to it, Matt recognizes the strength of each portion of the team at ER2. He likes to take a “hands-off” approach to management whenever he can, but still recognizes where his specific leadership skills are needed. He loves to hear opinions and ideas from the people around him so that together, they can collaborate and discover the best solutions for their projects.
He remembers a specific challenge where he and his team were given the task to create multiple illuminated iPad displays in a tight time frame. “This”, he said, “was a perfect example of placing the right people in the right situation to thrive and deliver. Ultimately, as a team we created a beautiful product in the time we were allotted.”
The Man Behind the Print
During his time off, Matt enjoys a variety of music, and his favorite his favorite group is Dave Matthews Band. He also loves sports, especially the Chicago Cubs and University of Michigan football. It’s been a good couple years for him in that department, with the Cubs winning a Series and the Wolverines snagging Jim Harbaugh. Matt also says his love for candy is a constant topic of conversation within the ER2 team, making it his unique claim to fame.
We’re delighted to have Matt as a part of the ER2 team. We’re excited to watch him continue to grow while staying on the path to greatness that he’s carved for himself.
