By Michelle St. Onge | Photo by Jessica McCafferty
Hometown: Rouses Point, NY
Family: Wife, Niki; two grown children, Andee and Colby; one grandson
Education: B.S., Business Administration and Economics; St. Michael’s College, VT
Occupation: Broker/Owner, CDC Real Estate
Community Involvement: Membership on various boards including Plattsburgh Community Housing, Champlain National Bank, UVMHC, Champlain Children’s Learning Center, enthusiastic participant in North Country Chamber of Commerce activities since 1992.
Matt Boire has spent over three decades contributing to the North Country’s growth through economic development, real estate and immigration consulting. After graduating with a degree in Economics and Business Administration from Saint Michael’s College in 1992, Boire began his career at the Cross-Border Development Corporation, now known as CDC. There, he and longtime business partner, Mark Barie, worked closely with Canadian businesses, helping them navigate immigration and real estate processes to establish their operations in the region. “We helped find sites for businesses, and the next thing they needed was a visa, so that’s where we stepped in to help,” Boire recalled, highlighting his company’s unique blend of services.
Over the years, Boire witnessed significant changes in the region’s approach to growth. In the early years, he encountered some territorialism among local towns and counties, each vying for businesses to settle within their borders. Today, he observes a more collaborative spirit, with regional leaders working together to promote economic development for the whole area. Despite these efforts to build the local economy, Boire is puzzled by our regional challenge of population growth, which remains stagnant amidst increasing opportunities and housing projects.
Boire remains committed to both his professional and community endeavors. Looking to the future, he is optimistic about the continued growth of the North Country, especially with our close ties to Canada, which remain a vital aspect of the region’s economic development. His long-standing dedication to the community has left an indelible mark, and he is eager to continue fostering progress in the years to come.
Following are excerpts from Boire’s recent reflective conversation with Strictly Business.
SB: What important lessons did you learn early in your career?
MB: The biggest lesson I’ve learned is the importance of getting to know people, whether they’re co-workers or clients. Personally, I’m an open book, and I’ve always enjoyed connecting with others. It can be as simple as holding a door or having a quick chat. It’s so important with clients. They might start out by asking about their financial or real estate needs, but there’s usually something personal behind that. The better I know them, the better I can help, and it makes a huge difference in building long-term relationships. It’s not just about transactions; it’s about understanding people.
SB: Who were your mentors and how did they influence you?
MB: My father was definitely a mentor to me, both in my early years and still to this day. I watched how he treated people and how well he was respected, and that had a huge impact on me. Another key influence has been Mark Barie, my business partner. He taught me the importance of “positively outrageous service.” I learned a great deal from him, especially about treating people well and going above and beyond. Those two—my father and Mark—have been instrumental in shaping my approach to business and life.
SB: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
MB: That’s easy—it was from my mom. She always said, “Just do your best.” That really stuck with me, especially when I’d get nervous. People might see me as confident and in control, but the truth is I get nervous because I really want to do a good job. My mom’s advice has always been a calming reminder. Once you’ve done your best, whatever happens after that is out of your control. Doing your best is all you can ask of yourself.
SB: What advice would you give to young people starting out in their careers?
MB: Keep it simple—honesty and hard work go a long way. Look up from your phone and connect with people. Today’s youth sometimes have unrealistic expectations, thinking they’ll make six figures right out of college. My advice? Try different things, even if the job doesn’t sound perfect at first. You’ve got to put time in, gain experience, and sometimes take a position just because it feels like a good fit, not because it’s going to give you instant gratification. Success takes time and effort.
SB: How do you handle difficult situations, especially with clients?
MB: Communication is key. If I have details that I think a client might be unhappy about, I find that it’s better to let them know as soon as possible and in the most empathetic way. Those who can’t respect that level of honesty might not be the best clients to keep. My approach is to keep them in the loop, and always ask how I can make things more acceptable to them.
SB: What are some things people may not know about the Canadian Connection and its impact on our economy?
MB: One thing that will always be significant is the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar. Whether the Canadian dollar is weaker or at par with the U.S. dollar, in both cases our area still does well, for a few key reasons. First, if the U.S. dollar is stronger, Canadians earning U.S. dollars benefit by bringing those stronger earnings back to Canada. Second, when the U.S. dollar weakens, the affordability of tourism and retail in the Plattsburgh region, as compared to Montreal, is even greater. Our region benefits from being just an hour away from a growing city with nearly five million people, and while we may experience economic ups and downs, this geographic closeness ensures consistent advantages.
SB: What are you most proud of professionally?
MB: There are a few stand out companies and properties I’ve worked on over the years, but it’s the overall picture that makes me proud. When I’m driving through the region with my family, I’ll often point out spots and say, “I worked on that.” It gives me a sense of pride to see physical places that I had a hand in developing. More than this, though, I value when clients send a note of appreciation, come back to work with me again or send referrals. That’s what makes my day.
SB: What is something no one would guess about you?
MB: I think some people assume I am happy all the time. I’m not an angry person, but I do have short grumpy moments! I have a temper that usually lasts only a few seconds, so if something is going wrong, I might blurt out my frustration. But then it doesn’t take long for me to come right back down.
SB: If you could have dinner and spend an evening with someone well-known, who would you choose?
MB: It would probably be George Washington. I’d love to hear Washington’s perspective especially on the founding of our country. I imagine it must have been overwhelming—he had just fought a war, wasn’t a young man by any means, and was likely exhausted, but he took on the responsibility of president. It would be fascinating to talk to him about his vision for the country, and to hear his thoughts about where we are now.
SB: How would you like to be remembered?
MB: Simply as a humble, kind guy who loved a good laugh. I’m happiest when I can make people laugh, whether it’s in a small group or at a big event. Laughter and happiness are valuable to me, even if they’re laughing at me.
SB: What do you think the North Country needs to do to ensure future prosperity?
MB: I think it’s crucial to maintain a sense of regional unity and networking. Staying connected through organizations like the North Country Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, Rotary, and others strengthens our community. Keeping dialogue open and ongoing—whether it’s at a meeting, over lunch or on a board—supports the collective success of our region.
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