Matthew McKenna

( Massachusetts )

Subjects: All Subjects

Clients

1) Altria Client Services

2) American Traffic Solutions, Inc dba Verra Mobility

3) AMTA MA-Chapter

4) Beacon Compassion, Inc

5) Cannapy Realty LLC

6) Colonial Ford Inc. dba Colonial Municipal Group

7) DCI Group AZ, L.L.C.

8) DetraPel, Inc.

9) ev Transportation Services, Inc

10) Massachusetts Foot and Ankle Society

11) Massachusetts Motor Transportation Association dba Trucking Association of Massachusetts

12) McLane Company, Inc.

13) National Guard Association of Massachusetts

14) National Ready Mix Concrete Association c/o DDC Advocacy, LLC

15) New England College of Optometry

16) Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts

17) RELIVA LLC

18) Statewide Towing Association, Inc.

19) Triangle, Inc

20) Utility Contractors' Association of New England

Number of Years as a Lobbyist

0-5 years

Biography

An expert in legislative and regulatory affairs, Matthew is a seasoned government relations professional and strategic communications specialist who puts his expertise to use for a wide variety of sectors.

A U.S. Army veteran who served in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Matthew has worked to improve benefits for first responders, including enacting new rules to help firefighters who get cancer on the job. He’s also worked to create innovative job training programs for developmentally disabled youth and adults.

Matthew was a key lobbyist for the Marijuana Policy Project to successfully legalize cannabis in Massachusetts and advises new cannabis companies on municipal licensing, compliance, business strategy and community engagement. Additionally, he has advised clients with municipal development projects as a consultant on construction, building trade and general union issues.

Prior to joining Tenax, Matthew worked as director of communications and intergovernmental relations for the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services. In that role, he worked with every state agency and the Massachusetts legislature on veterans’ issues. He also worked on economic development issues, including helping launch a program with the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce to link veterans with employment opportunities and advocating for a veteran-owned business preference for state contracting. Prior to DVS, Matthew spent seven years working for state Senator Steven Tolman as his chief of staff and district director.

A graduate of the University of Connecticut with a degree in political science, Matthew is a 22-year member of the U.S. Army National Guard. He currently serves as a Chief Warrant Officer 3 and a Blackhawk helicopter instructor pilot. He also serves on the boards of Massachusetts Fallen Heroes and Alternative Treatment for Veterans, a nonprofit that advocates for cannabis therapy for vets.

He lives in Braintree with his wife and two children.

Last Updated: October 26, 2020