Matthew grew up in rural West Virginia. He obtained his bachelor's degree in Philosophy with minors in business and honors from West Virginia Wesleyan College. From there, he obtained his Masters in Business Administration from West Virginia University. Then, he obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Arizona: James E. Rogers College of Law. Matthew owned his own law firm and practiced law exclusively for approximately five years before beginning his career in higher education teaching in the Business Program at West Virginia University at Parkersburg. He is married with two wonderful little girls.