Matt Williams, (Courtesy)
LINCOLN — Each year, nominations for the Nebraska Business Hall of Fame are solicited from the general business community, statewide associations, and from academia.
The Nebraska Chamber is proud to salute the accomplishment of the individuals that have been chosen by their peers to be included in this prestigious hall of fame.
The Nebraska Business Hall of Fame Banquet will be hosted Thursday, January 30, 2025.
The Nebraska Chamber celebrates Nebraska’s business leaders each year with newly honored inductees. The Nebraska Chamber is also proud to honor those deserving young adults that will be the business leaders of the future. Each year, students who meet the established criteria will be awarded scholarship assistance.
Matt Williams
Matt Williams was born and raised in Gothenburg, Nebraska, where his family was involved with banking and ranching. Upon graduation from high school, Matt accepted an athletic scholarship to the University of Nebraska, where he received his undergraduate degree in business administration and his law degree. Upon graduation from law school, Matt returned to Gothenburg to begin what is now a 50-year career in banking.
Matt worked to grow the family bank and recognized early on that a strong banking environment was essential for the survival of rural Nebraska. During the 1990s and early 2000s, Matt became involved with the Nebraska Bankers Association and the American Bankers Association, ultimately becoming Chairman of both.
Matt served as a State Senator representing Central Nebraska for eight years. He received the 2022 Friend of Education award from the School Administrators Association for introducing and passing legislation to make our schools safer creating the Safe2Help call line. During his 8-year career in the legislature, he was recognized as a leader and successful legislator, as evidenced by his introduction of 63 bills, 58 of which became law.
Matt continues his work in banking as Chairman of Flatwater Bank, with its home office in Gothenburg.
Matt serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Nebraska Innovation Campus and is a Governor of the Board of the Aksarben Foundation, among other boards.
Matt has also won several awards, from ABA Ag Banker of the Year to Diplomat of the Year. Matt and his wife, Susan, have two children and six grandchildren.
