MEET MATT MOTLEY

• 1972  Born on the mean streets of San Antonio. Considered to be the cutest blond-haired, blue-eyed baby boy born on July 9; is promptly adopted and moves to Lake Jackson, TX.
  
  
• 1976  Begins young career as social butterfly at Miss Bogg’s Preschool. Develops affinity for banana pudding and Nilla wafers.
  
  
• 1977  Thanks to banana pudding indulgence, begins kindergarten as a puffy child; promptly ‘earns’ starring role of Santa Claus in Christmas play. Stardom goes to his head. No autographs signed. Hollywood agents fail to call.
  
  
• 1978  Hosts first grade class for spring outing at home near school, securing solid position as a mover and shaker among Bess Brannen Elementary’s social elite.
  
  
• 1979  Sibling terrorism begins. Older sister locks younger, socially ambitious brother in closet telling him that someone has broken into house. The ruse is quickly uncovered and resolved, though lifetime of tension remains.
  
  
• 1980  Social ambition becomes liability on report cards; recurring theme of ‘a friendly child, but needs to focus on own schoolwork’ peppers comments sections for the next 10 years.
  
  
• 1981  Parents encourage team sports as an outlet for social energy and physical activity. Soccer quickly abandoned. Sentenced to a career as an outfielder in baseball; becomes aware of athletic implications related to field position. Sigh.
  
  
• 1983  Baseball abandoned shortly after a pop fly misses glove and lands on forehead. Concussion aside, recognizes the verdict on team sports is grim. Refocuses energy on forte as social entrepreneur.
  
  
• 1986  High school years ideal. Nothing to see here. Moving quickly on.
  
  
• 1990  Graduates Brazoswood High School. Decides to attend Texas Christian University for journalism degree. Public relations/advertising career track chosen based on realistic depiction of advertising in TV series, thirtysomething.
  
  
• 1992  Rethinks college decision; moves to Austin to continue college and serve as legislative aid to state representative Renato Cuellar during Session. Gains immense amounts of additional experience working on political campaigns as well.
  
  
• 1993  Reassures parents that Ohio State University is the final decision for college, cites stability in public relations career choice as collateral. Parents thrilled with out-of-state tuition.
  
  
• 1995  Graduates Ohio State University with a degree in journalism. And a job. Parents rejoice. Works for Ohio Attorney General in public affairs section. Learns the power of strong, creative visuals to control the message.
  
  
• 1996  Adopts his own four-legged child, Oscar, the black Lab. Takes up running as a hobby. Successful completion of 5Ks, 10Ks and a marathon ensues.
  
  
• 1998  Takes job with Public Utilities Commission of Ohio to run integrated consumer education campaigns for natural gas choice and electric deregulation.
  
  
• 2000  Returns to Texas to develop and manage consumer education campaign for electric deregulation at Burson-Marsteller; campaign wins honorable mention at PRWeek awards.
  
  
• 2003  Joins Weber Shandwick to work on ExxonMobil. Adds client work with the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, Miller Brewing, General Motors and Wal-Mart.
  
  
• 2007  Offered assignment to work on General Motors account in Thailand for two months. Jumps at opportunity. Sawatdee krab, y’all.
  
  
• 2008  Presented with opportunity to join Current and grow reputation marketing practice with Wal-Mart. Howdy, y’all.