Matthew Rivera served with distinction from 2003 to 2016 as an Intelligence Specialist in the U.S. Marine Corps, participating in two tours with Regimental Combat Team 2 in Iraq and deployments with the world-famous Gunfighters of HMLA-369 in both Iraq and Afghanistan. His service, marked by leadership and dedication, concluded due to service-related injuries.
Post-military, Matthew pursued academic excellence, attending art school and then obtaining a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2023. He currently serves as the Planner / Community Services Officer for Clear Creek County, CO, where he applies his strategic planning skills towards community development and public service.
As a board member of the USMC Memorial Foundation, Matthew continues his commitment to veteran representation and community engagement. He plans to further his education with graduate studies in History, focusing on 19th-century Western expansionism and veteran reintegration, emphasizing the critical role of arts and humanities.
