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FEATURED ALUMNI
Irving Matthews is a graduate of Southern University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology. He is 59 years old, married, and the father of 3 sons ages 29, 19, and 17.
Irving is currently the President and Owner of Matthews Automotive Group, consisting of 3 automobile dealerships located in Florida cities - Mt. Dora, Stuart and Daytona Beach.
The Matthews Automotive Group employs over 170 people and achieved 94 million in sales in 2004. Irving’s first dealership broke into Black Enterprise Magazine’s Top 100 Minority Automobile Dealerships in its first full year of operation. The automotive group has since risen from 97th to 23rd place in its 14 years of operation. Irving also achieved another milestone by being listed as 2nd on Black Enterprise Magazine’s Top 10 Growth Leaders for 2000.
Irving entered the automobile business after 20 years of manufacturing experience, serving 14 years with Procter & Gamble in various managerial roles and 6 years with Frito-Lay, four of those years as Plant Manager of the Orlando Manufacturing Plant.
While with Frito-Lay, Irving’s desire to serve the community was apparent and he became active in many organizations. These included:
- Junior Achievement – Board of Directors
- Greater Florida Minority Development Council – Board of Directors
- Mayor’s Commission on Youth Opportunity – Commissioner
Designed Compact Program for at risk students)
- Compact – Board of Directors
- Orange County Public Schools Foundation – Board of Directors
- Board Member for the World Cup
- Committee member for the Lake County Florida Economic Development Commission
- Lake Sumpter Community College Foundation Board
Irving is also a Past Chairman of the Board of Metro Savings Bank;
a member of Daytona Rotary Club; a member of Ford Lincoln-Mercury Minority Dealer’s Association; and a member of the Board of Directors for the Central Florida Automobile Dealers Association.
Irving’s primary community service focus has been on improving the educational system. He believes that it requires a combined commitment of the school system, the business community and the parents. Because of this
focus on education and community service, Irving currently lends his support to the following organizations:
- Volusia County Schools Budget Advisory Committee
- Donated a car to Teacher of the Year in Volusia county for 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.
- Major contributor to Seminole Community College Automotive Training Center
- Daytona Beach/Halifax Chamber of Commerce Board Member
- Chairman, Bethune-Cookman College Board of Trustees
- Chairman of the Bethune-Cookman College Presidential Search Committee
- Member of the Halifax Area Civic League
- Board of Directors of Volusia County Advanced Technology Center
Alumni of the year
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