Matt Valentine is a highly accomplished energy executive, chairman, and co-founder of USL Dallas, an expansion team in the United Soccer League. With a clear vision for the team’s future, he aims to lead the franchise to a championship title by 2027, all while playing in a state-of-the-art stadium in Garland, a suburb of Dallas. A former college soccer player, he also plans to establish a youth soccer club for athletes under 21 or 23 years old.
In addition to his work with USL Dallas, Mr. Valentine is involved in several other ventures. He serves as a partner at Rimrock Energy Partners, after previously holding roles as board member and chief financial officer. He is also a partner at the sustainable energy firm Carbon Rho and serves on the senior advisory board of Orion Energy Partners, based in New York. His leadership extends to the BuddyLove apparel company in Dallas, where he holds a position on the board. Earlier in his career, he worked in financial services with Raymond James and Merrill Lynch and founded Millbrook Equity Partners.
A strong advocate for homelessness relief, Matt Valentine was honored with a spot on the Good Works Under 40 list by the Dallas Foundation. He is a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, where he played varsity soccer. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, watching sports, and snow skiing.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I’m an early riser. I like to get a start to the day by exercising before the world wakes up.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I have had the best luck and progress when I’ve had good partners. I think that if you surround yourself with the best people, the results will take care of themselves.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I would have to say the way technology is evolving to make people far away easier to stay in touch with. My sons are away and doing their own things, but with technology, they don’t have to seem so far away.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I will go back to one of my previous answers: waking up early. I tend to have my best results and feel like my most productive self when I maintain that discipline.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Slow down. Take it all in and enjoy the spot you’re in, wherever that might be.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Take care of yourself. If you’re not okay, you’re not much good to anyone else. Eat well, exercise, get plenty of sleep, and surround yourself with great friends and family.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I generally find time to be by myself, so I can reset and refocus. Sometimes life just moves too fast, and we all just need a minute.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Again, people make the difference. If you surround yourself with the best and most qualified people, the rest will take care of itself. When you run across someone exceptional, grab them, even if you’re not sure where to plug them in yet.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Be a lifelong learner. Read and be interested in things you don’t understand.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I’m old school, so as boring as this is, I have to say I would be lost without Excel.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I try to spend a little time every day with Marcus Aurelius. Reading about stoicism keeps me grounded.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Welcome to Wrexham! It’s a must watch. The inner workings of the team are fascinating.
Key learnings
- Surrounding yourself with the best and most qualified people is key to progress and success.
- Prioritize self-care and recognize when you need a break to rest and refocus.
- Learn to slow down, ground yourself, and appreciate how far you’ve come.
- Become a lifelong learner and take an interest in things you don’t understand.