This is the first article in the series profiling the 2007 Vienna-Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual Award winners.
Although he runs a time-consuming law practice, Oakton resident Matthew Brennan finds the time to be active in many aspects of the greater Vienna community. He lends a helping hand to the local business, faith and youth community, without seeking recognition for his efforts.
"People should give back to the community," said Brennan, 58, who lives with his 6-year-old daughter. "We live in a very rich society, and the needs we have are nothing compared to the needs of orphans in Haiti," he said. However, Brennan said there are needs and problems in our community. "The area has its own problems. The thing we have is resources and we just need to use them," he said.
An Oakton resident since 1987, Brennan has a track record of helping the community. Keith Bodamer met Brennan through their work with the Rotary Club of Vienna and has known him for the past 10 years. Bodamer said Brennan’s actions speak as loud as his words. "I’ve watched the way he walks the talk," said Bodamer.
Since 1995, Brennan has volunteered time and experience in many capacities. He is the past chair of the Vienna-Tysons Regional Chamber of Commerce (VTRCC) Government Affairs Committee and the chamber’s past board chairman. He has also served as the president of the Vienna Rotary Club and as a member of its board. Brennan is the founder of Ethics Day programs at Madison and Marshall high schools and has assisted community nonprofit organizations in developing governance structures. He is also active with the Emmanuel Lutheran Church.
"Matt is a trusted member of the congregation," said Mark Edwards, the pastor at the Emmanuel Lutheran Church. "I don’t think there is anybody who can’t approach Matt. He’s a very sociable person."
Bodamer also reflected on Brennan’s personality as someone who is easy to get along with. "It’s easy to have a smile around him," he said.
FOR HIS EFFORTS in the community, VTRCC awarded Brennan with the 2007 Citizen of the Year Award. "It was a great honor because people who gave it to me knew me well," said Brennan. He said volunteering time and being in the community helped him build his business. "It’s an old-fashioned way of building a law practice," said Brennan.
One of the accomplishments Brennan is most proud of is bringing Ethics Day programs to the Vienna community. He experienced the programs while serving as a committee member for the Reston Chamber of Commerce Ethics Day, which it sponsors to benefit South Lakes High School. "I thought it was a great program and thought we ought to try this at some schools around here," said Brennan. In March 2000 he started with Marshall High School, and managed to get Booz Allen Hamilton to sign on and get involved with the program. Since then, Ethics Day has spread to Madison High School. "I enjoy it a lot," said Brennan.
Bodamer said he experienced Ethics Day as a Rotary Club member. He said the true value of the program would never be known because the benefit to the young people involved could not be measured. The program’s modules present young people with situations they would not think about otherwise. "We’ll never know how much good it does. It’s proactive and it’s an investment," said Bodamer about the Ethics Day program.
Bodamer said he has a great amount of respect for Brennan, because he does not seek recognition for his efforts in the community. He is also impressed with Brennan’s time management. "He’s a boundless package of energy with a heavy community involvement," said Bodamer. "He’s a very humble guy, plus he’s got a law practice. I don’t know where he finds time."