2025-2026 Board Spotlight: Matt Meservy
Matt Meservy, PE, TDM-CP is a SEACT Chapter member, the Director of Planning at the Tennessee Department of Transportation, and a 2025-2026 At-Large Director. Get to know him in our May board spotlight!
Over the last 10 years, Matt has worn many hats in the TDM world: Site Engineer, Airport Engineer, Travel Demand Modeler, and Transportation Planner to name a few. Along the way, he's developed a deep appreciation for TDM's power to give people choice in the way they travel.
Matt says, "I think my passion for TDM began to take hold when I started working in the transit planning field. This is going to sound cliché, but as time went on, I began to see (and experience) how quality of life can truly be improved when you have viable transportation options. If you really want to go back to my TDM roots, I would occasionally visit a small island in Michigan that prohibited cars. It was all bikes and horses. I loved that experience and the freedom to go anywhere at any time without delays or parking issues."
His work is driven by a desire to connect policies and infrastructure in ways that allow travelers of all types – such as tourists, employees, residents, and others – to have reliable and sustainable modes for any trip purpose. He’s also deeply inspired by his peers and shares their passion for leaving the world better than the one they inherited.
Now serving on his third term as At-Large Director, Matt brings that same dedication to his industry leadership. In addition to ACT’s Board, Matt is a part of the Public Policy Committee. He also holds a seat on the Transportation Research Board’s (TRB) TDM Committee.
When asked about his motivation to run for the board, he says, "The desire to help shape the future of an amazing association that's trying to do nationally what I'm trying to do locally. My brain seems programmed to solve complex issues, so I thought, ‘Why not take my passion for TDM and pair it with my desire to solve things?’ And, ta-da!! Here I am."
When he's not working, you might find Matt playing guitar, attending live concerts, collecting and playing records, or making his own t-shirts. He also enjoys spending time in the great outdoors rowing, playing baseball or hockey, and golfing.
If you bump into Matt at an event, you can ask him about one of his favorite ACT memories – networking and connecting with the 2024 ImpACT! Leadership class in Anaheim, CA. An 'atmospheric river' brought rain for the entire week, forcing most of the outdoor events into a large hotel suite.
He says, "It was definitely a tight fit, but it created a dynamic that, if you ask many of the attendees, probably created the most enjoyable opportunity to mingle and learn about our wonderful members."
Matt's dedication and collaborative spirit are an asset to the board and to ACT. We look forward to the rest of his 2025-2026 term and beyond!