Matt Elam may be the new kid on the block at Benchmark Financial Solutions, but he is not new to the financial industry or the program’s service area. Presently residing in Oxford, NC, he is a native of Southside Virginia having been raised on his family’s 100-hundred-acre farm in southern Mecklenburg County, VA, close to John H Kerr Dam.
He graduated from Campbell University with his Bachelor of Science in Economics. Along with many of his fellow graduates during the financial crisis, he found it difficult to obtain a job in his chosen field. He continued to take advantage of opportunity every time it knocked. He began his career in food service and then moved to education, where he taught math at the middle and high school levels for four years. In 2014, he was able to return to his passion and intended career path in financial services. Prior to joining the Benchmark Financial Solutions team, his industry employment allowed him to grow his knowledge in the areas of financial and insurance products. He continues to utilize these acquired skills in crafting unique financial goal plans for his clients.
Matt’s two mantras are “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care,” and “If you treat other people the way you would want others to treat your mother or daughter, then you will never go wrong.” His energy and passion in helping others is obvious from your first interaction with him. No matter your stage of life, he will meet you where you are, and assist you in meeting your financial goals. Matt services our Virginia clients in the counties of Mecklenburg, Brunswick and Greenville. He is now also leading the program’s initial foray into bank’s the North Carolina footprint.
When he isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with his significant other, Lyndsey, and their rescue dog, the Duchess of Oxford. Their first date was to see fireworks on July 4th, and the fireworks haven’t stopped. He loves spending time outdoors hiking with Lyndsey or playing disc golf. He also enjoys traveling, trying new places to eat, and staying in to watch a good show.