2018 40 Under 40: Matthew Slager, PE, LEED AP, CGD; 36

By Jack Smith, Content Manager; Amara Rozgus, Editor-in-Chief May 14, 2018

Chief Mechanical Engineer, Hanson Professional Services Inc., Springfield, Ill.

BS mechanical engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

As chief mechanical engineer at Hanson Professional Services Inc. in Springfield, Ill., Slager oversees a group of seven mechanical staff members in his department and works in tandem with the firm’s commissioning group of 10 commissioning specialists. He continuously updates the company’s in-house mechanical design standards, tools, and methods to streamline the mechanical design services that Hanson provides. Slager started working for another well-respected MEP firm in the Quad Cities area of Illinois upon graduating from college in 2004. There, he earned his PE and gained design and project management experience. Six years later, in 2010, he was hired as a mechanical engineer at Hanson. In 2012, he was promoted to chief mechanical engineer where he oversees technical development of the company’s HVAC, plumbing, and fire protection services. Slager takes a leading role in training and mentoring young engineers. He is dedicated to the future of Hanson and has been instrumental in expanding its federal and government markets. He also is a dedicated board member of the Geothermal Alliance of Illinois, helping to advance the use of sustainable energy beyond his company’s projects. Slager supports multiple organizations including St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, the Mini O’Brien crisis nursery, Sojourn House, and the Spondylitis Association of America. He has been married to his wife for 12 years and they have two beautiful children. He enjoys playing basketball, soccer, and video games with both kids. As a bit of an energy nerd, even away from the office, he enjoys reading about renewable energy and electric vehicles in his free time.

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