Matthew H. Koch

Matthew H. Koch, Member

Matt Koch leads the NIB associated nonprofit agency Virginia Industries for the Blind (VIB), the largest employer of people who are blind in the Commonwealth. VIB employs 160 people across 25 locations, including more than 80 people who are blind. Under Mr. Koch’s leadership, VIB has grown employment by introducing new product and service contracts. In addition to his responsibilities creating direct employment through careers within the AbilityOne Program, he also oversees the Randolph-Sheppard Program in Virginia that provides indirect employment opportunities for private citizens who are blind.

Prior to assuming leadership positions working with people who are blind, Mr. Koch was chief operating officer of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, where he created sustainable funding for the primarily self-funded state agency. He had earlier been director of productivity and knowledge management at CapitalOne Financial Services.

Mr. Koch began his successful professional career as a 15-year naval officer and pilot. He retired due to blindness in one eye and limited vision in the other. During his time in the Navy, Mr. Koch served in numerous positions at the White House, Joint Staff, and Pentagon, and proudly led his helicopter detachments during three six-month shipboard deployments to the Middle East.

Mr. Koch earned bachelor’s degrees in public policy studies and economics from Duke University and a master’s degree in public administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Finally, he earned his nonprofit management certificate from Duke University.