I first met Matt through International Paper, but didn’t really get to know him until he came to work at Fleetwood-Fibre Packaging & Graphics. I was his inside CSR in City of Industry, while he was selling boxes in Northern California. 

At work, Matt was very meticulous, and always professional, but most of all he was fun to work with. Although we talked numerous times throughout the day, he only came down to the plant a couple times a month, but I always looked forward to seeing him. Matt had the most positive attitude. Even when things weren’t going so great, he would find the best in every situation. And he always kept his sense of humor.

The first wine account Matt sold for us was Chateau Julien, a wine called Black Nova. I told him that Black Nova sounded more like a CB radio handle than a wine, and that’s what I started calling him. Black Nova became Matt’s nickname. He must have really liked that name, too, because he would often end our phone conversation, or an email with “Black Nova, out.”. It always made me laugh. He really was a funny, witty man. 

I can still hear the sound of his laugh… What a wonderful laugh he had. 

Love and Peace to you, Black Nova.