If you’ve ever been in the Lake Forest office and heard the feverish click-clacking of computer keys coupled with a boisterous voice responding to agent calls that intersperse laughter and tall tales with business, then you’ve probably experienced the whirlwind that is Matthew Rodriguez.

A mere 18 months into his Portfolio tenure, Matt is already well-known and beloved by agents and associates alike. Hailing from Tustin, Calif., Matt is a dealer processing specialist who works as part of the Client Relations team. A self-described “team cheerleader,” Matt finds himself responding to agent requests, troubleshooting, setting up rates, working with new accounts and much more each day.

“I like to have my hand in every basket at Portfolio,” Matt quips, noting he has the privilege of working with a number of internal teams and, of course, the field. “Portfolio is a place where I can build relationships, connect with people at all levels of the organization and help find positive resolutions to issues I face in a typical workday.”

Matt thrives when he is doing something with a purpose and where he feels he can make a true difference. He is highly passionate and constantly pushes everyone around him to be their best.

Matt’s experience as a dealership sales director gives him a built-in comfort level with agents and dealers and familiarity with our ever-evolving industry. He applies his dealership skills to help his team be creative with their use of innovative tools and solutions to deliver world-class customer service day in and day out. He believes working at Portfolio has pushed him out of his comfort zone and given him opportunities for professional growth as well. In December, Matt received his B.S. from Cal State Bakersfield.

In his free time, Matt enjoys day trips to Disneyland, attending Broadway shows, singing, frequenting karaoke bars and restaurant hopping. “I live within walking distance to Old Town Tustin, where there are tons of amazing eateries to be found, and there’s a fun improv comedy theater too.” He is currently in the thick of wedding planning and is very much looking forward to his next grand adventure — his two-week Hawaiian honeymoon with his fiancé and fellow Portfolio associate, Josh Hoover.

Matt credits his success to mentors who have helped him to be the best he can be both professionally and personally. Among them are Client Relations Manager Allie O’Connell, who has taken the time to mold him into a better employee by exposing him to new things and new situations.

“There are no gray areas with Allie. She is compassionate and understanding, yet a direct, no-nonsense leader,” Matt says.

Personally, his greatest mentor is his mom, who passed away in 2021 due to COVID. As a single mother, she instilled many traits in Matt, the greatest of which was resiliency. She urged him to use his talents and unique skillsets to his advantage and left him with words we should all strive to live and work by: “Exceeding expectations should always be the norm.”