Joseph F. Matthews, ’80, is president of Maxson Automatic Machinery Company, founded in 1912 in Westerly RI. The third of four generations in the family firm that designs and builds capital equipment for the paper and printing industries; Joe joined the business in 1983 as a sales engineer and by 2000 had become company president. In 2020, Maxson was recognized as Manufacturer of the Year by the RI Manufacturing Association. For his professional contributions, Joe has been recognized with the Technical Association for the Pulp and Paper Industries Finishing and Converting Division Leadership Award.

A 1980 graduate of URI’s College of Engineering – preceded by his father Merton (BSME ’50) and followed by his son John (BSME ’10, MSME ’14) – Joe received the 2019 URI College of Engineering Distinguished Achievement Award.

Active in his community, Joe has served on the boards of the Ocean Community YMCA, VNS Home Health Services and Tides Family Service. Joe is past Trustee of St. Francis of Assisi Church in Wakefield RI. He continues on the Executive Committee of the Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America and as Chair for the South County Health Board of Trustees.

Term Expires: February 1, 2027