Meet Matthew, the Newest Straub to Join the Team!

My name’s Matthew. As the newest member of the Straub team, I thought I’d take a minute to introduce myself.

I joined in March as the marketing coordinator. But the truth is I’m no stranger to Straub Construction. My full name is Matthew Straub, as in son-of-Ernie-Straub.

Back in the early days, my siblings and I also got recruited to be the cleaning crew for my dad. I grew up coming here, treating the office as more of a playground as we cleaned on Saturday mornings.

Now I get the honor of coming here every day. It’s a fun change of pace, seeing familiar faces and Straub employees I’ve known my whole life—getting to call them co-workers.

My role in the company…

I’m getting to know this organization in a new way as I transition into my role as marketing coordinator. It’s really cool, going out to the jobsites and seeing the incredible work our guys are doing. One of the things I’ll get to do in my role is help highlight work on the jobsites. Which means that while I’m out on the sites, I’ve been taking quality photos with our drone, getting a bird’s eye view of each site.

I have a heart for connecting with people. It’s one of the reasons I majored in business management at Benedictine College. After graduating in 2013, I worked as a property manager in the Kansas City area. Managing offices for apartment complexes, I had the opportunity to hone my skills of problem solving, coordinating the needs of residents with the services we provided. I am excited for how these past experiences will help me continue to grow at this people-first organization.

When I’m not at work…

Starting my job at Straub has been a big change, but it’s one of many changes in my life right now. The happiest day of my life was in last October, when I married my best friend and love of my life, Kathleen. We just bought a house in Overland Park, and have been enjoying the process of making the house our own, with a few renovations and repainting. And probably the biggest news is that we’re expecting our first baby in August!

When I’m not at work, I love spending time with Kathleen. Whether it’s watching Netflix together (We’re on our second or third round of watching The Office), hanging out in our backyard (I love to grill almost as much as my dad!), or checking out some of the restaurants in Kansas City (I’m especially a fan of the ones with a wide selection of craft beer).

I also love playing soccer. I’ve been kicking around a soccer ball since I was five and even played in college for two years. My dad was my soccer coach early on. I was often the focus of his frustration during games. Yes, he yelled at me a few times when I was going the wrong direction, but he pushed me to get better and develop a strong work ethic. I just hope he doesn’t yell at me in the office!

What I love about being a part of this team…

Ever since graduation, my dad has hinted that there would be a place for me at Straub Construction. It had always been a possibility in the back of my mind, and when I was looking for a change in jobs, the timing seemed perfect to join at Straub. While I’m grateful for the experience and expertise I’ve gained through the other organizations I’ve worked with, the decision to work here has felt like a good fit from the first day.

There truly is a sense of collaboration and positivity at Straub. I recognize that isn’t always a given in the workplace. I’m excited for the ways I can contribute to the amazing team at Straub Construction as we continue to grow and add to the skyline of Kansas City.