Matt Kelso brings more than 25 years of experience in construction, project management, and engineering to his role as Director of Facilities at Usona Institute. His career began in construction trades during high school and college, where he worked hands-on while earning a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Following graduation, Matt spent a decade in Southern California with McCarthy Building Companies, managing the construction of large-scale healthcare facilities. In 2015, he returned to Wisconsin to raise his family and continued his work in construction management with Kraemer Brothers, serving as project superintendent for a variety of commercial and research-focused facilities. Notably, he led the construction of Promega’s Kornberg Center and later Usona’s new research and therapy building.
Matt joined Usona in 2024, transitioning from construction to operations with a focus on long-term stewardship of the built environment. He brings a passion for systems thinking, sustainable infrastructure, and creating spaces that support healing and discovery.
Outside of work, Matt enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, playing music, coaching youth sports, spending time outdoors, and finding practical ways to support personal and community well-being.