Matt is the youngest son of Michael Augustin Pro Gibbons and C. Marilyn Gibbons.  His parents both graduated from Charlevoix High School, Charlevoix, MI.   His dad served in the US Army before earning his bachelor’s degree from Aquinas College.  He then attended and graduated from Wayne State Law School, earning his Juris Doctor.  Matt’s mom put his dad through law school as a medical transcriptionist at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.  When Matt and his brothers were old enough, their mom became the receptionist and secretary at their dad’s law office in Charlevoix, MI.  His father, now deceased, had a long resume of accomplishments including serving the people of Charlevoix County in private practice, the State Banking Commission, and as the City Attorney in Charlevoix.

Matt, too, graduated from Charlevoix High and attended Aquinas College.  In 1998, he earned his bachelor’s degree in English.  As an Aquinas Saint, he was a member of the Track and Field team, competing in the long jump, triple jump, 200-meter dash, and quarter mile.  He qualified for the National Track Meet in 1993 as a member of the 4 x 400-meter relay.

Since college, he has worked at five different law firms, serving as a Legal Assistant, Case Manager, and Personnel Manager.  He passed a federal exam to be an EDPNA, or a non-attorney eligible for direct payment.  This title means that Matt is qualified to represent people in the Social Security Administration for disability claims.  

Throughout his adult years, Matt has at times fallen back on his painting skills as a source of income and is a skilled tradesman.  He moved to Savannah, Georgia in 2003 to pursue a professional golf career.  He was in training to be a Class A PGA Teaching Professional at Bacon Park Golf Course, and also served as an Assistant Manager in golf retail at Edwin Watts Golf Shops.  In 2021, Matt moved back to Grand Rapids and from November of 2021 to November of 2022, he worked at a brewery where he served on the brew team, bartended, and waited tables.  

Currently, Matt is working full time on this campaign.