Matthew Priest, Class of 2008, has quickly established himself as a dynamic leader in finance, entrepreneurship, and business strategy. After earning his degree in finance from Texas State, he advanced through top-tier investment banking roles at Goldman Sachs and Lazard, managing more than $50 billion in corporate M&A transactions. He went on to join Kalypso, an innovation management consulting firm, where he rose to Global Managing Director and played a pivotal role in its sale to Rockwell Automation. He later co-founded The Launch Box, a platform designed to help entrepreneurs start, scale, and sell professional service firms. Today, Matthew serves as Chief Financial Officer of B&E Resources, LLC, where he continues to combine financial expertise with visionary leadership to drive growth and impact across industries.
A dedicated Bobcat, Matthew has remained closely connected to his alma mater through service, mentorship, and philanthropy. As a student, he was active in student government, residence life, Cat Camp, University Ambassadors, Student Foundation, and he earned both the Stelos Alliance Leadership Endowed Scholarship and the William Hatfield Hogue Memorial Endowed Scholarship. Since graduation, he has served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors and continues to give back as a graduate student mentor for the McCoy College of Business. Recognized for his exceptional work ethic and rapid career ascent, Matthew exemplifies the promise and potential of Texas State’s young alumni, making him a true Rising Star.