Matt founded Terra Search Partners in 2006 to provide a highly consultative and both a client and candidate centric approach to real estate search. Prior to forming Terra Search, Matt was a Partner with several executive search firms, including Heidrick & Struggles and Ferguson Partners. In addition to leading the firm, he advises clients and manages senior level searches for many of Terra’s clients. Prior to starting in search in 1998, Matt held leadership, management and functional roles within the real estate industry for more than 20 years. He was founder and executive director of the Multifamily Housing Institute in Washington, DC. Matt has also worked in key development, advocacy and finance positions for the National Housing Partnership (developing and acquiring housing for seniors), National Association of Housing Cooperatives (as a lobbyist) and the Resolution Trust Corporation (helping lead the RTC’s affordable housing program). He further rounded out his real estate expertise with NV Commercial, a northern Virginia-based commercial property company, and Reilly Mortgage, one of the country’s leading apartment lenders. Matt graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Oberlin College. Community Commitment: Matt is a founding Board member of ExtraFood.org, a Marin County based food recovery organization. He is a Governor of the Urban Land Institute Foundation, a member of the Board of ULI’s San Francisco District Council and a member of the Urban Development and Mixed Use Council.
Matt is past Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Home of San Francisco, one of the largest skilled nursing homes in California. He is also a participant on the Policy Advisory Board of the Fisher Center for Real Estate at the Haas School of Business at the University of California at Berkeley. He is a supporter of ExtraFood, Oberlin College, Mercy Housing, the Jewish Home of San Francisco, and other charitable organizations. Personal Passions: Road biking in Marin County; relaxing and traveling with his wife, Diane Olmstead and daughters, Sarah and Cali.