Matthew G. Bente is a seasoned financial executive with over 12 years of experience leading organizations across diverse industries, including food and beverage, real estate, construction, and financial services. Known for his exceptional ability to align financial strategies with organizational goals, Matthew has established himself as a transformative leader who drives growth, operational efficiency, and profitability.
As the Head of Finance and Financial Controller at Workhorse Brewing Company, Inc., Matthew plays a pivotal role in steering the company’s financial health and strategic direction. He is one of three core members of the leadership team, holding sole fiduciary accountability to the Board of Directors and private equity stakeholders. In this role, he has demonstrated his expertise in creating weekly cash flow projections, financial performance summaries, and five-year outlook models that provide actionable insights for decision-makers.
Matthew’s ability to innovate and streamline processes has led to substantial improvements across the company’s operations. He implemented standardized operating procedures (SOPs) that reduced inventory losses by 15%, cut expenses by 10%, and increased private event revenue by over 30%. Moreover, he secured over $1 million in alternative financing, enabling the company to expand its brewing capacity by nearly 100%, launch a new kitchen, and increase event space. Matthew also identified and executed a strategy to generate an immediate $500,000 in new revenue, with over $1 million in potential upside. His contract renegotiations resulted in over $100,000 in cost savings, improved payment terms, and expanded credit limits.
Prior to his current role, Matthew served as Chief Financial Officer at Rehab Financial Group LP, where he led transformative initiatives that resulted in a 150% increase in loan origination volume, from $21.1 million in 2018 to $53.9 million in 2021. He successfully restructured product offerings, optimized underwriting policies to achieve a default rate below 1.5%, and spearheaded a 50% geographic expansion that boosted revenue by 15%. Matthew also built a capital markets division, which unlocked access to cost-efficient capital and royalty revenue, driving a 10% increase in net income.
Earlier in his career, Matthew honed his financial acumen as a Senior Derivatives Trader at Belvedere Trading, LLC. In this role, he managed volatility portfolios for the VIX and VXX, achieving the desk’s most profitable year since its inception. He also led a research team that analyzed global events to project their impact on financial markets, further solidifying his reputation for strategic insight.
Matthew’s academic foundation includes a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Carnegie Mellon University, where he graduated with a 3.62 GPA. His concentration in Finance and Marketing, along with a minor in Innovations, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development, laid the groundwork for his entrepreneurial approach to finance and operations.
Beyond his professional achievements, Matthew is deeply passionate about networking, golfing, and sports. He values building meaningful relationships and contributing to the success of organizations through collaborative efforts. With conversational Spanish language skills and strong connections in capital markets, loan lending, and real estate, he brings a global perspective to his work.
Matthew’s personal mission—“If you’re not going to do it right, then don’t do it at all”—reflects his commitment to excellence and integrity. As he explores board opportunities, he aims to leverage his expertise to help struggling companies find their footing, implement strategic initiatives, and achieve sustainable growth. His track record of success, combined with his hands-on leadership style, makes Matthew G. Bente an invaluable asset to any organization seeking to elevate its financial and operational performance.
Character
Matthew G. Bente exemplifies integrity, accountability, and a results-driven mindset, ensuring excellence in every endeavor.
Knowledge
With over 12 years of financial expertise, Matthew brings deep proficiency in capital strategies, financial modeling, and operational improvement across diverse industries.
Strategic
He excels at crafting and executing forward-thinking strategies that drive growth, streamline processes, and maximize profitability.
Communication
Matthew is an effective communicator, adept at fostering collaboration and presenting complex financial insights to stakeholders with clarity and impact.
