Each month, we'll be featuring school board members in an effort to learn more about the wonderful individuals serving on our boards!

Matt Dial joined the Satsuma school board in 2019 and currently serves as the board's vice president. With a positive attitude and strong drive for student success, Matt is committed to making thoughtful decisions that enhance learning opportunities for all students.

Read below to learn more about Matt!

Q: What is your current occupation?

A: I have been in the finance and banking industry since 1996. Currently, I am the president and chief executive officer of Main Street Loan Company, which is a subsidiary of 22nd State Bank.

Q: How long have you been on the school board and what inspired you to join?

A: My service on the Satsuma school board began in November of 2019. There was a school board member which I had and still have tremendous respect for named Jimmy Upton, who was ill at the time. Jimmy was one of those unique individuals who seemed to be great at everything, but he was specifically good at anything financial related. Several people within the community asked me to apply to fill his seat in an effort to keep someone with a financial background on the board.

Q: What excites you the most about being a school board member?

A: I am truly excited by seeing the wins within our system. That could be a win on a ball field, increased test scores, a building project or maybe even a grant approval. Just seeing our students and staff excel and become excited about an achievement is something that keeps my fire burning to keep working on their behalf. Winning is just as contagious as losing.  

Q: What’s one key thing you’ve learned since becoming a board member?

A: Projects definitely take longer in the public sector than the private sector. Patience isn’t a virtue that I have ever been blessed with, so this is a work in progress for me.  

Q: Are there any special initiatives or projects you are particularly proud of accomplishing with your board? Anything you’re looking forward to working on with them?

A: Looking back, we’ve achieved some big wins as a board—and we’ve done it together. We hired an exceptional superintendent and a top-notch chief school financial officer, setting the foundation for strong leadership. We developed a strategic plan that isn’t just another binder on a shelf. It’s data-driven, actionable and measurable. We also earned systemwide Cognia reaccreditation, which was no small feat, and landed numerous grants that are already making a difference in our schools.

Two years ago, we sat down and really developed what would be seen as a robust capital outlay plan for our size system. We prioritized the needs of the system to be poised for growth, and our leadership team within our system has done a great job of putting that into action. It will culminate with the opening of a new central office and teacher training center next year. This will then allow us to immediately open up the current central office for eight new classrooms.  

Q: What's one piece of advice you would share with an incoming board member?

A: The piece of advice I would offer to incoming board members is no different than what we should all remember, and that is to understand your role and stay in your own lane.

Q: What are some of your hobbies or interests outside of your role as a board member?

A: Currently my wife and I chase a ninth-grader around a volleyball court in the fall and a tennis court in the spring. Other than that, I work for the Southeastern Conference (SEC ) and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) as a softball umpire in the spring and enjoy offshore fishing in the summer.  

Q: Finish the sentence. One thing you should know about me is…

A: It doesn’t take long to know that if I get involved in a venture, I am passionate about it. I hate losing at anything.  

Q: What is your favorite inspirational quote or mantra that keeps you motivated?

A: We don't “have” a great day. We "make it" a great day! 

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