Matt Riley
Entrepreneur
Red Oak, Iowa
About Matt Riley
Matthew Walter Riley is an entrepreneur and former journeyman sheet metal worker based in Red Oak, Iowa. He grew up on a century farm in Northwest Iowa and began his working life at fourteen, holding multiple jobs simultaneously while completing a vocational drafting program in high school.
Riley entered the sheet metal trade in 1997 with Berglund and completed a four-year apprenticeship through Sheet Metal International Local 45, achieving journeyman status in 2002. He joined Waldinger Corporation that same year and worked there through 2008. In 2007, while still employed in the trade, he acquired a floor-covering business, marking his transition into entrepreneurship.
Over the following years, Riley built a diversified business portfolio spanning construction, real estate, aviation, oil ventures, bullion holdings, property management, and financial note optimization. His ventures range from $500,000 startups to multi-million-dollar enterprises.
Beyond business, Riley has served with the Corning Volunteer Fire Department for ten years, rising to Captain. He is a Master Diver and former operational member and board member of the Midwest Regional Dive Team. He is a lifetime member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, a mission pilot with the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, a board member of the Iowa Aviation Promotion Group, and a licensed amateur radio operator participating in emergency communications through ARES.
Areas of Focus
Career Background
BalCon
Media
Press
Awards & Recognition
- Junior Olympic Skating State Champion, Iowa
- Junior Olympic Skating Regional Champion
- 5th Place, Junior Olympic Skating National Competition
- 1st Place, Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Contest, Sheet Metal International Local 45
- 2nd Place, Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Contest, Sheet Metal International Local 45
Licenses & Certifications
- Journeyman Sheet Metal Worker, Sheet Metal International Local 45, 2002
- Firefighter I and II, Iowa
- Open Water Diver
- Advanced Open Water Diver
- Rescue Diver
- Public Safety Diver
- Full Face Mask Diver
- Dive Medic I and II
- Master Diver
- Advanced certifications in underwater navigation, limited-visibility operations, boat diving, search and recovery
- U.S. Air Force Auxiliary Mission Pilot, multiple operational qualifications
- Licensed Amateur Radio Operator (Ham)
Charities & Volunteering
- Corning Volunteer Fire Department, Firefighter and Captain, 10 years of service
- Young Eagles Program (EAA), Volunteer Pilot introducing youth to aviation
- Midwest Regional Dive Team, Public safety dive operations and technical recoveries
- Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), Emergency communications and disaster response support
Boards & Memberships
- Midwest Regional Dive Team, Operational Member and Board Member
- Corning Volunteer Fire Department, Board Member and Executive Board Member
- Iowa Aviation Promotion Group, Board Member and Benefactor
- Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), Lifetime Member and Volunteer Young Eagles Pilot
- U.S. Air Force Auxiliary (Civil Air Patrol), Active Member and Mission Pilot
- American Radio Relay League (ARRL), Active Member
- Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), Active Participant
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Matt Riley do?
Matt Riley is an entrepreneur based in Red Oak, Iowa, and a former journeyman sheet metal worker who transitioned into building a diversified business portfolio spanning construction, real estate, aviation, oil ventures, bullion holdings, property management, and financial note optimization.
What is Matt Riley known for?
Riley is known for turning his background in the skilled trades into a diversified entrepreneurial career, with press coverage highlighting his work ethic, advocacy for skilled trades and volunteer service, and his path from journeyman sheet metal worker to business owner.
Where is Matt Riley based?
Matt Riley is based in Red Oak, Iowa.
Last updated July 23, 2026