Secretary
Matthew is a United States Army Purple Heart veteran who enlisted in the Army in 2007. Matthew was an Airborne Infantry Team Leader, leading the heavy weapons team/ machine gun team. Matthew served in OEF 09-10 with the prestigious 3/509 PIR (Parachute Infantry Regiment). He was wounded in action in October of 2009 while gunning a .50 Cal as the gunner on an MRAP, while securing a hostile route. Matthew was wounded by an RPG explosion in close proximity, receiving shrapnel wounds to his face, arms, and hands. Still continuing the fight even after he was wounded, he received an ARCOM w/ Valor for his actions during the firefight, saving the lives of the remaining soldiers inside the vehicle. Matthew completed his five years of active-duty service in 2012 and was honorably discharged from the military.
Matthew has since served in Law Enforcement for the past 11 years. He is a Special Agent Senior, working for the Alabama State Bureau of Investigation. He is currently assigned to the Narcotics division, working on the Alabama Drug Enforcement Task Force and holds full credentials with Homeland Security/ICE.
In 2018, Matthew experienced an event that would change the course of his life. He joined WWIA on the Kuneytown FLX Ducks and Bucks Hunt. Following that event, he was asked to join the WWIA team as an Associate. Matthew is a 2021 graduate of the WWIA Guide school and is now a certified WWIA Guide. He has spent the past few years leading and guiding events all over the nation for WWIA. Matthew also proudly hosts the Alabama Turkey and Hog Hunt in his home state of Alabama each year. Matthew believes in the healing properties the outdoors provides for his fellow combat-wounded veterans and stands firmly behind the work WWIA does for our nation's Purple Heart recipients.
Matthew is happily married to his wife, Candace Brannon. They have three beautiful daughters, Chloe, Claire, and Catherine. He and his family reside in Boaz, Alabama, planted in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. Matthew is closely involved with his community and serves on the Board of Directors for the Boaz Area Chamber of Commerce.
As a WWIA Board member, Matthew is continuing to lead WWIA in its mission to serve our nation’s combat-wounded Warriors.