Matt Ross, Louisiana Advisory Board Member

For Matt Ross, leadership is about more than building a successful business-it's about investing in people, creating opportunities, and helping communities thrive.

As CEO of Hoist & Crane Service Group, a national industrial services company headquartered in Louisiana, Matt has led the organization through significant growth and expansion. Under his leadership, the company has grown to more than 600 employees across 30+ locations, supporting critical infrastructure throughout the United States. His approach to leadership centers on strong execution, developing people, and building organizations that create long-term opportunity and upward mobility.

A lifelong Louisiana resident, Matt has remained deeply connected to the community he calls home. Beyond his professional responsibilities, he is actively involved in local business and philanthropic efforts. He serves on the board of The Good Shepherd School and is a member of Vistage and Legatus, continuing his commitment to leadership and service.

For Matt, supporting Arete Scholars is a natural extension of his belief in investing in people early and creating opportunities for them to succeed. He believes access to a strong educational foundation can change the trajectory of a child's life-and, in many cases, an entire family's future.

"Arete's mission resonates with me because it directly creates opportunity where it's needed most," Matt says. "I believe in investing in people early, giving them the tools, environment, and support to succeed."

What particularly stands out to Matt about Arete is the organization's ability to turn state tax dollars into meaningful educational opportunities for students. He sees the model as a powerful way to create measurable impact while expanding access to families across Louisiana.

"What makes Arete especially compelling is the ability to redirect state tax dollars into a program that delivers real, measurable impact for students," Matt says. "It's a powerful model, and one I'm passionate about sharing with others so we can continue expanding that opportunity across Louisiana."

Through his leadership at Hoist & Crane Service Group and his service to organizations like Arete Scholars and The Good Shepherd School, Matt continues to champion the power of investing in people. As a member of Arete's Louisiana Advisory Board, he brings his business experience, community commitment, and passion for opportunity to the work of helping more students access the education they deserve.