Matt Sutter Reflects on 25 years at SHD

Monday, January 22, 2024
By Stephanie Rohr, Marketing Assistant
In Design, Planning, Community

A quarter of a century, a major milestone... Matt Sutter has been with SōL Harris/Day for 25 years making a difference within the firm and an impact on countless people within Northeast Ohio and beyond. From starting as an Architect with the firm to Partner and then to Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Matt has worked hard to shape the future of our firm and how we serve our clients. Matt shared with us some insights on how he has seen the firm develop in the past 25 years...

What are the most significant changes you have seen over the last 25 years?

"Fundamentally this profession is a service industry where we listen to our clients, provide a high quality and often a very creative solution and then figure out a way to bring the project into existence. The basics of listening, being creative and executing have not changed. Finding enough interest in getting the project built has been very difficult over the last four years. The amount of work in the region and the lack of labor has contributed significantly to rising prices in the industry and has been the big challenge of our day."

How did you position yourself to become Partner and then Co-Owner of the firm (CEO)?

"I always had a dream to own an Architectural Firm, which requires bringing in work. Even though I am an introvert (which my kids highly doubt) I put myself in situations to be at different public events, made a point to be involved in the community and made calls to potential clients when I saw opportunities. All of these were uncomfortable for me, but I forced myself to do it anyway. Taking one step at a time as God put opportunities in front of me has created results that are very surprising to me. The job has taken me as far out of my comfort zone as it has out of the area. We have said yes to projects all over the USA and even in Mexico. It has been exciting and terrifying at the same time."

What is the biggest lesson learned since working for SHD?

"Delegate – The people working at SHD are so good at what they do. In many cases they do it much better than I do, so let them do what they do best. It is great to be around so many people that are working so passionately for the good of our clients and are so selfless about doing the hard work that is needed in this profession."

What attracted you to SHD in the first place and has that contributed to you staying with the firm?

"To be honest, I was looking for a shorter drive to work. I was at a very small firm in Fairlawn, Ohio and the commute took anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour each way. I had also hit a ceiling for advancement after seven years at my previous firm. Once I arrived at SHD, I was challenged by a variety of different projects and received great mentorship from both John Harris and Jeff Day. Relationships that were formed twenty-five years ago still exist today."

What is your favorite part of your job?

"As an introvert, I am so surprised that my answer to this is without question the people that I have had the privilege to work with. The relationships that have formed through working together with clients and with everyone at Sol Harris/Day has been so rewarding. Seeing younger people at the firm learn, grow and take on their own projects is extremely satisfying."

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