Matt Olson’s journey within Astra Service Partners, Orion’s heavy mechanical services vertical, is a compelling narrative of growth, leadership, and the power of partnership. Starting at Jackson Mechanical Service, Orion’s inaugural partner company, Matt now holds the position of Group President, overseeing numerous Astra partners across the United States. His story offers valuable insights into the Astra Service Partners ethos and the opportunities it provides.
From Field to Leadership: Matt’s Early Days
Matt’s career began a decade prior to Jackson in the Oklahoma trades. During this time, the name Larry Beatty, a figure synonymous with heavy mechanical expertise, frequently surfaced. Beatty, an alumnus of Johnson Controls, had established Jackson and garnered admiration for his expertise and growth ambitions.
Driven by an impulse, Matt visited Larry Beatty’s office and their impromptu meeting sparked a significant career shift. Matt’s background in project management and sales estimation aligned perfectly with Beatty’s vision. Having progressed from an apprentice to a lead service technician and then to a superintendent managing projects, Matt was ready to transition from field work to leadership. He sought to leverage his strategic thinking and management skills, a desire that resonated with Beatty’s goals for Jackson.
The Jackson Difference: Respect and Growth
What distinguished Jackson from Matt’s previous experiences was Larry Beatty’s leadership style, characterized by profound respect for every team member. Beatty’s prior experience as a chiller technician instilled in him a deep understanding of field realities. His hands-on approach, marked by being the first to arrive and last to leave, exemplified true leadership and deeply impressed Matt.
Matt took on project management responsibilities, and under his guidance, Jackson experienced substantial growth. He secured key accounts and steadily advanced to Operations Manager, becoming Beatty’s trusted second-in-command. Beatty invested time in mentoring Matt, fostering his professional development and cultivating a work environment Matt greatly valued.
Navigating Partnership with Orion and Astra Service Partners
The news of Jackson’s partnership with Orion initially came as a shock to Matt. Concerns arose about the implications of this transition, particularly as Larry Beatty planned for retirement and intended for Matt to take the helm at Jackson under the new partnership.
The perceived disparity between Orion’s highly educated team and his own background initially caused apprehension. However, meetings with Orion’s leadership – Will, Isaiah, and Max – dispelled these doubts. Their transparent vision and operational philosophy resonated deeply with Matt. It became clear that Orion valued its people, understanding that employee well-being is fundamental to business success. These initial conversations transformed Matt’s perspective, shifting from apprehension to enthusiasm for the opportunities ahead. He recognized that Astra Service Partners, through Orion’s backing, would facilitate Jackson’s accelerated growth.
Catalyzing Growth: The Initial Partnership Months
Orion’s partnership with Jackson immediately focused on growth and expansion. They sought Matt’s vision for the future: “What are your ideas? Where would you like to grow?” Matt’s aspiration to incorporate plumbing services and expand into Tulsa was met with swift action. Within a short time, plumbers were hired, and expansion into Tulsa commenced. This rapid implementation of his ideas underscored Orion’s commitment to empowering their partners’ ambitions.
This proactive approach solidified Matt’s belief in the partnership’s upward trajectory. Jackson accelerated its growth, hiring more technicians and bolstering back-office support, all with Orion’s consistent backing. The arrival of Casey Botts as Astra Group CEO further refined this growth trajectory. Casey provided strategic guidance, prompting a shift from rapid, potentially scattered expansion to more structured and sustainable growth. Casey’s strategic questions – “What do we need to support this growth?” – led to crucial investments in infrastructure, such as additional back-office personnel to manage the increasing workload. This strategic refinement, balancing ambition with structured support, proved invaluable.
Empowerment and Financial Acumen
Orion’s partnership empowered Matt to step into a leadership role. Larry Beatty’s gradual transition into a coaching role allowed Matt to assume full leadership. Orion’s trust in his vision significantly bolstered his confidence as a young manager.
A significant area of development was financial management. Previously, financial oversight at Jackson was high-level, focusing primarily on cash flow. Orion introduced Matt to in-depth financial analysis, providing him with the tools and knowledge to understand profit and loss statements comprehensively. This financial education, initially daunting, became second nature and a critical skill in his role as president. He learned to interpret financial data, understand the drivers of the business, and make informed strategic decisions.
Collaborative Success within the Astra Network
The network of partners within Astra Service Partners has been instrumental in Matt’s success. The opportunity to connect with and learn from other presidents across the Astra network provided invaluable best practices and strategies. Jackson adopted operational processes from Calvert, developed its plumbing platform with guidance from GE, and enhanced safety protocols with insights from BME. This collaborative environment fostered a culture of shared learning and mutual support.
The Presidents’ Roundtable events and informal networking opportunities facilitated strong relationships among partner company leaders. Matt found common ground with his peers, realizing shared challenges in areas like technician recruitment and employee satisfaction. This supportive network and sense of camaraderie have been crucial to navigating the complexities of leading within Astra Service Partners.
Rise to Group President: A Testament to Growth
Matt’s promotion to Astra Group President was a direct result of his and Jackson’s success story. During a Presidents’ Roundtable in Chicago, Alberto (Astra CEO) and Casey recognized Matt’s ability to replicate Jackson’s growth model and invited him to take on a group leadership role. This promotion, from technician roots to an executive team position, was a profound validation of his career journey and achievements within Astra Service Partners.
The Astra team’s passion and dedication deeply inspire Matt. He admires their relentless drive to build something significant and lasting. This shared vision of creating a legacy and making a tangible difference is what excites him most about being part of Astra.
Astra’s commitment to internal promotion is a key aspect of its “People First” philosophy. Matt’s own advancement enabled the promotion of Scott Fuksa, a former welder fitter under Matt, to President of Jackson. These career transformations exemplify Astra’s dedication to fostering growth from within and providing life-changing opportunities for its people.
Coaching and Strategic Oversight in a Group Role
As Group President, Matt’s focus shifted from direct operational involvement to coaching and strategic oversight. He now supports company presidents within Astra Service Partners, leveraging his experience at Jackson to guide their success. This transition required him to adopt a broader perspective, focusing on key performance indicators (KPIs) and providing strategic direction rather than directly managing daily issues. His goal is to support each company in achieving peak performance, drawing upon the successful strategies implemented at Jackson.
A Dynamic Day-to-Day and Lasting Impact
The HVAC industry’s inherent unpredictability means that Matt’s daily routine is consistently dynamic. This ever-changing landscape is precisely what he finds engaging. A daily constant is reviewing his scorecard, focusing on critical KPIs and ensuring strategic alignment across the companies he oversees.
Matt’s proudest moments within Astra Service Partners stem from witnessing the tangible impact on individuals and businesses. A recent visit to BME, where he engaged in one-on-one meetings with team members, highlighted the value Astra brings to established family-owned businesses. The implementation of structure and operational improvements, without disrupting the existing strengths of these companies, demonstrably improves business operations and employee experiences.
For Matt, the most rewarding aspect of Astra Service Partners is fostering a culture of trust and collaboration. Empowering teams to realize their potential and achieve significant impacts, knowing they are supported and not alone, is the driving force behind his dedication and enthusiasm for Astra. The opportunity to build something meaningful, together, continues to be his greatest motivator.
