Matt Scassero

Matt is the Director of Operations and Outreach for the University of Maryland Clark School of Engineering at the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland (USMSM). He promotes the Clark School’s role in the areas of integrated education and research (specifically focusing on autonomous technologies), outreach, and economic/community development. He also supports the USMSM mission of increasing impact of the institution to the local and regional community by increasing non-traditional educational partnering opportunities, creating integrated educational and research opportunities both internally and externally, and increasing research expenditures by supporting interdisciplinary research initiatives.

Before this Matt was the Director of the University of Maryland Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Test Site, focusing the resources and efforts of the state of Maryland on working with the FAA to integrate UAS into the national airspace, and enabling public access to these valuable assets to empower a flourishing new industry.  Prior to his work with UAS, Matt was the Chief Contracts Officer for Melwood, a non-profit dedicated to empowering people with differing disabilities to enrich their own lives through rehabilitative services and employment opportunities.

Prior to this, Matt was the Chief Contracts Officer for Melwood, a non-profit dedicated to empowering people with differing disabilities to enrich their own lives through rehabilitative services and employment opportunities. Prior to joining Melwood, Matt completed a 27 year career in the US Navy, retiring at the rank of Captain as the Vice Commander for the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, the Navy’s principal research, development, test, evaluation, engineering and fleet support activity for naval aircraft and systems. He is certified by the federal government in program management, test and evaluation, software acquisition, safety program management and electronic warfare operations. Matt earned a BS in Physics (Oceanography) from the United States Naval Academy in 1982, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Baltimore in 2017, and is a Leadership Maryland 2007 graduate.