This issue we are profiling Matt Herring, Knight Federal’s Vice President of Business Development.
Herring has been with the company since its inception in 2013 and has been a critical part of growing the company into what it is today. Since Knight Federal’s inception, he has been instrumental in every aspect of the company’s growth. Herring’s business development efforts allowed Knight Federal to grow more than 40% in the last two years. During this time Knight Federal added more than 30 employees. His ability to capture, propose and win business led to Knight Federal’s award of its first prime contract in 2017.
In addition to winning the first prime contract, Herring added new contracts and customers to Knight Federal’s portfolio while expanding and fortifying their current capabilities. Recently, he helped Engility, an SAIC Subsidiary, win a $106 million Defense Intelligence Agency contract which includes Knight Federal as a subcontractor.
“SAIC’s partnership in support of this effort has been an excellent experience. Their dedication to the mission never waivers and it shows through each communication. We are thankful to continue our support of this program and appreciate each of the Knight Federal employees who continue to exceed our customer’s expectations,” says Matt Herring.
As an emerging company, Herring wears many different hats in his role. In the competitive world of government services, his understanding of the market and network have allowed Knight Federal to be poised for strong revenue growth in 2019 and beyond.
“Being with Knight Federal has been an awesome experience, sharing a closet office with Chris in the early days without employees to outgrowing our current office space and employing more than 100 people has been both challenging and rewarding. I sincerely appreciate working for Chris and executing his vision. The autonomy and trust he puts in me allows us to move a lot faster than our peers within this industry,” says Herring.
As the Vice President of Business Operations, Herring is in charge of developing business in the Department of Defense and Intelligence sectors, as well as forming strategic partnerships within industry and government.
“The potential for exponential growth of Knight Federal is in very good hands,” says CEO Chris Baeten.
In addition to his focused business skills, Herring is a passionate and community-minded individual. He sets the bar for excellence and strives to achieve that in all he undertakes. Whether it is immersing himself into the growth of Knight Federal or giving back to his local community or alma mater, he makes an impact in many positive ways.
Herring serves as a Big Brother/Mentor through the Washington region’s largest donor and volunteer supported mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters. This meaningful, monitored mentorship between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 7-18 years old, in communities across the National Capital Area, develops positive relationships that have a direct and lasting effect on the lives of young people. Big Brothers Big Sisters has a stellar record in helping children on a daily basis make healthy choices to stay in school, stay out of trouble, and on track toward healthy and productive futures.
In Herring’s service as a volunteer for Highway Heroes Rescue Transport, he drives legs typically from Alexandria to Baltimore for dogs in need of safe transport to a rescue or adoption home.
As a board member of the Friends of Theodore Roosevelt Island, Inc. (FoTRI) since 2017, Herring serves alongside a group of passionate volunteers eager to support the National Park Service in its ongoing efforts to preserve and protect the unique presidential memorial that is Theodore Roosevelt Island. He led fundraising for the 50th anniversary of the dedication of the island to Theodore Roosevelt and raised more than $1,000 in support of the event in both cash and in-kind donations.
FoTRI is a 501(c)(3) organization that was established in 2015 to appreciate the natural beauty and historical significance of the living memorial to Theodore Roosevelt and to ensure that Theodore Roosevelt Island is protected and preserved for future generations. The diverse passions of the board members include: history buffs, admirers of Theodore Roosevelt, conservationists, runners, kayakers, stand-up paddle boarders, birders, dog walkers, and naturalists – reflect the broad range of activities on, and wide appeal of, the Island.
FoTRI serves as an active force for ensuring that the memorial plaza, trail system, and woodland landscape remain a fitting tribute to President Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy of conservation. Herring and the volunteers work to increase the recreational and educational opportunities at the Island, including programming to help visitors appreciate both the beauty of nature, and the force of nature that was the nation’s 26th president, Theodore Roosevelt. With his help and that of the board members, visitors today and in future generations will enjoy the beautiful and serene natural urban setting that is symbolic of all the natural lands in America that Theodore Roosevelt loved and protected.
Herring volunteers with the University of Florida Alumni Association (DC Gator Club). He also participates in various community cleanups and fundraisers at national parks in the area. Additionally, he supports Catoctin Mountain Park as a BARK Ranger Volunteer with Helen and Keller, his adopted deaf dogs.
Herring is a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. He obtained his MBA at Nova Southeastern University. Herring is married and resides in Reston, Virginia with his wife Kylie and their two dogs Helen and Keller.
