Name
Matthew Hecht
Age
35
Company/Organization
United Federal Credit Union
What Does Your Company/Organization Do?
United Federal Credit Union’s mission is to enhance our Member’s lives and improve our communities by providing a wide variety of financial tools and solutions while ensuring the financial sustainability of the cooperative membership.
Education
Bachelors of Business Administration – Western Michigan University
Accomplishments
*2009 graduate of Berrien Springs High School. *2013 graduate of Western Michigan University. *Employed with United Federal Credit Union for 10 years. *2025 Graduate of the UFCU “Leading Others Successfully” leadership program. *USA Hockey Coaching Certification. *Certified “Funcle” awarded by my nieces, Penelope and Monroe, and nephew, Dodge.
What else do you hope to accomplish by the age of 40?
Over the next few years, I want to continue focusing on helping the people around me succeed while giving back to the community.
Current City
Saint Joseph, MI
Place You Were Born
Kalamazoo, MI
What was your first job?
Sales Associate – Softball Fans, Inc. Kalamazoo, MI
What’s the best advice you ever got?
If you say you’re going to do something, do it.
Who inspires you most?
My parents, Bradley and Eva, and my older brother, Brandon.
That one thing about you we’d be most surprised to learn.
I’ve been an officiant for three weddings.
What do you love to do in your downtime?
In my downtime, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and pretending I know how to golf.
What book are you reading now?
Can’t Hurt Me – David Goggins
Volunteer activity you love the most.
Coaching youth sports. I’ve been fortunate to have the opportunity to volunteer as a coach with the Garden Ice Arena (Go Wolves!) and the Greater Berrien Springs Recreation Authority (Go Rocks!).
What motivates you to give back to your community?
My main motivation comes from a place of gratitude. I had a number of coaches/mentors who shaped who I am today, and I want to pay that forward by doing the same for others.
What Superpower would you most love to have?
Time Travel
What would you like to leave behind as your legacy once you are gone?
For me, legacy is about transferring knowledge and empowering others. I want to be remembered as someone who made their teammates’ job easier, helped them grow, and lifted up the next generation.
What does the honor of being named to the 40 Under 40 most mean to you?
Looking at the past and current nominees, it is incredibly humbling to be included among such remarkable individuals. Congratulations to the 2026 nominees!
