April 23, 2024

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Matt Zobel, a structural engineer at ISG. 

Name: Matt Zobel

Age: 28

Hometown: Arlington

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

I started my career in engineering at ISG in Sioux Falls directly after college in 2018. I lived in Mankato, Minnesota, in 2019 and La Crosse, Wisconsin, in 2020, then moved back to Sioux Falls in 2021. I came back to Sioux Falls because of the people, the community and the opportunities.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

I really like how Sioux Falls has somewhat of a small-city feel while becoming a regional hub with big-city attractions. The annual growth we are seeing provides tremendous opportunity to the business community. I am a big fan of the vibrancy of downtown, and I can’t wait for the Cherapa and Steel District developments to be finished.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

My favorite thing about my job is the variety of projects I get to work on. Every day is a little different, and every project has different problems to solve. I’m fortunate to be able to work on impactful projects in our city and across the state. Some examples currently in construction include Cherapa IV, Salem City Hall and Community Center, Castlewood School District and the Cultural Heritage Center renovation and addition.

How did you get connected to your industry?

While at SDSU, I was involved with the American Society of Civil Engineers, which helped me get connected before I graduated. I have been very involved with the Young Professionals Network since moving to Sioux Falls. Both of these organizations have helped me build a professional network and meet some of my best friends.

Describe your workplace in three words.

Teamwork. Ownership. Impact.

What is something someone might be surprised to learn about you?

I have been a member of the Sioux Falls Curling Club since 2021 and regularly compete with my co-workers.

What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?

My favorite ways to give back to the community are through my involvement with YPN and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls. I am passionate about these organizations because their respective missions — developing tomorrow’s leaders and building affordable housing — have compounding effects within Sioux Falls.

What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?

It would be great to have an In-N-Out Burger in Sioux Falls. Although not a specific business, I would love to see an outdoor venue resembling the Power & Light District in Kansas City.

If you had $1 million to start a business, what kind of business would it be?

If I had $1 million, I would start a brewery with a board game theme/focus.