The founder of a firm sought after by Fortune 500 companies brought his financial wisdom to campus in February.
Matt Ernst ’94, who established the business and IT consulting firm Amentra, was this year’s Executive-in-Residence. Now chairman of Walnut Grove Holdings, a Richmond-based investment corporation focused on early-stage technology companies, Ernst shared lessons in leadership and risk-taking.
Matt Ernst ’94
Six years after earning a business administration degree at Mary Washington, Ernst founded Amentra – now part of the worldwide open-source technology provider Red Hat – which used a unique mentoring model to help businesses upgrade operating systems and train staff. Amentra made the 2005 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 list, and as its CEO, Ernst was named the 2007 EY Entrepreneur of the Year. In 2008, Amentra had more than 140 employees and offices in four major U.S. cities when Ernst sold it to Red Hat.
The entrepreneur led presentations and discussions for students, staff, faculty, alumni, and regional business leaders at UMW’s Stafford and Fredericksburg campuses.
Ernst lives in Richmond with wife Amy Henderson Ernst ’94 and children Tyler, Anna, and Andrew. When he isn’t in the boardroom, he enjoys golf, backcountry skiing, and modern art.