Hi! I'm
Matt Rinker!
Hi! I'm
Matt Rinker!
Meet Matt Rinker
Matt has dedicated his life in service of others. Matt was born into a middle class family in Virginia. His parents aren't famous, they are just like your parents - humble and hardworking. Matt's father, Roger, was a welder in the Steamfitters Union who later went into the car business. Matt's mother, Judi, went back to college after her kids were born to become an elementary school teacher.
Starting at a young age, Matt has chosen to serve. From being elected to numerous student leadership positions to working in his neighborhood as an adult, Matt has led a life of service.
Once graduating college, Matt moved to Atlanta in 2004 and has lived throughout the City - from Buckhead to East Atlanta, Midtown to Grant Park.
For the past four years, Matt has been active in the Peoplestown Neighborhood Association - serving as Vice President and, currently, as President of the organization. Matt is also involved with NPU V, advocating for smart development and preserving our neighborhood's past.
During Matt's time representing the Peoplestown community, he has fought against redistricting of students out of the Maynard Jackson cluster by the Atlanta Public Schools, led campaigns to slow the construction of Atlanta Watershed's Custer Avenue Stormwater/Sewage Vault, and opposed development of an apartment community by a negligent landlord.
In 2022, Matt was appointed by Mayor Andre Dickens to the Mayor's LGBTQ Advisory Board, where he advised the Mayor and his team on policies affecting the city.
Professionally, Matt works in the Real Estate industry as a Regional Director and is a licensed Realtor. He is a member of the Atlanta Apartment Association and Atlanta Realtors Association. He has worked on projects from East Atlanta to West Midtown, Chastain to Capitol View and everywhere in between and beyond.
In his free time, Matt is active in recreational sports leagues including softball, kickball, and bowling. Matt is a former Board member of the Hotlanta Softball League and is a member of the Hall of Fame for that organization.
Matt lives in Peoplestown with his two dogs, Hank and Harper.
"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way."
John C. Maxwell
A Life of leadership
A Life of leadership
a life of service
a life of service
1977
The fourth child of Roger and Judi Rinker, Matt is born in Fairfax, Virginia. Roger was a member of the Steamfitters Union before transitioning into car sales. Judi was a pre-school teacher before going back to college and becoming an elementary school teacher.
1988
Inspired to run by his fifth grade teacher, Elaine Nino, Matt is elected as Chancellor Elementary Reporter/Historian. This is the first of many leadership roles he will take in life.
1991
Matt is elected Student Council President at Chancellor Middle School in Spotsylvania, VA.
1992
Despite transferring school districts, Matt quickly made a name for himself and was elected Freshmen Class Vice President at Courtland High School.
1993
Matt is elected Courtland High Sophomore Class President. Matt, also, develops his sense of community service being elected to the Board of Courtland High Key Club - a student-led organization that helps high schoolers develop leadership skills through community service.
1994
Matt is elected Student Council Vice President at Courtland High School and expands his education by enrolling in Media Productions at Spotsylvania Vocational Center where he joins the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA, which later rebranded as SkillsUSA).
1995
Matt is elected State Treasurer for Virginia VICA and also Senior Class President at Courtland High School. In his role as a state officer, Matt travels the state of Virginia promoting vocational education and delivers speeches to educators and legislators.
1996
Matt is elected Virginia VICA Post Graduate President and enrolls at Longwood University in Farmville, VA. Matt continues promoting skill based education throughout the state on both the high school and post-high school level.
1997
Matt is elected Sophomore Class President at Longwood University.
1998
Matt is elected Student Government Vice President at Longwood University.
Matt also founds the Longwood College Democrats, along with other students, and serves as Club President.
1999
Matt is elected Senior Class President at Longwood University and also President of the Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Phi Kappa Tau.
2000
Matt is named the Dwight I Douglass Outstanding Chapter President for Phi Kappa Tau National Fraternity.
Matt, also, serves as a Delegate to the College Democrats of America National Convention in Washington, DC.
2002
Matt graduates from Longwood University as a double major with a Bachelors of Arts in Communications Studies and a Bachelors of Arts in English.
Matt also begins his professional life with a position of Community Manager for a student housing company.
2004
Matt relocates to Atlanta and quickly gets involved in his local community.
2009
Matt buys his first home in East Atlanta.
2010
Matt joins the Executive Board of Hotlanta Softball League. During his tenure on the Board, Matt assisted the league obtain 501(c)3 status and begin charitable efforts raising thousands for local organizations.
2013
Matt launches a bid for Atlanta City Council in District 5. Though unsuccessful, Matt earns praise by local groups including Committee for A Better Atlanta, who rated Matt "Well Qualified". Creative Loafing Atlanta called Matt, "a visible candidate who possesses solid ideas about public safety and strongly supports the Atlanta Beltline."
2019
Matt travels to Rwanda as part of a missionary delegation with Africa New Life and These Numbers Have Faces. During this trip, Matt conducts leadership training with Rwandan University students, leads incubator sessions with Rwandan female entrepreneurs, and meets his sponsored student.
Matt is named Philanthropist of the Year by AWAKE Foundation.
2021
Matt moves to the Peoplestown neighborhood of Atlanta and begins his involvement with NPU V and Peoplestown Neighborhood Association.
2022
Matt is appointed to the Atlanta Mayor's LGBTQ Advisory Board by Mayor Andre Dickens.
Matt is elected as the Peoplestown Neighborhood Association Vice President, and advocates against redistricting for APS schools in the Maynard Jackson Cluster.
2024
Matt is elected President of the Peoplestown Neighborhood Association. Matt leads efforts to oppose Atlanta Department of Watershed's construction of a massive Stormwater and Sewage Vault in Peoplestown.
2025
The White House, Points of Light and AmeriCorps award Matt Bronze Recognition for his community service with local non-profits and community groups.
Matt launches bid for Atlanta City Council to bring fresh ideas and new voices to City Council.
A Picture Tells A Thousand Words
A Picture Tells A Thousand Words
