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January 27, 2025

Rising Star Award

Matt VanderVeen

Exxel Pacific

VanderVeen

Matt VanderVeen has been with Exxel Pacific for 17 years and leads the company’s Quality Control Program. He supports four managers and the implementation of their Building Envelope, Interior Quality Control, Survey/Layout and Warranty programs. His effectiveness starts with extensive redline plan reviews, identification of risks and integration of project-specific lessons learned. VanderVeen advocates for step-by-step mock-ups, pre-work kick-off meetings, and careful review of subcontractor’s initial installs to ensure expectations are clear on each project.

VanderVeen’s approach to listening and implementing feedback has been effective in continuously improving the programs and processes he oversees, while building strong relationships. In addition, being fluent in Spanish increases VanderVeen’s effectiveness in our diverse industry:

He collaborated with an IT developer to create a custom Microsoft Access database to save key lessons learned so team members could learn from past mistakes. Teams can perform searches to quickly find applicable data; and entries can be printed into a two-page concise PDF for distribution.

VanderVeen is committed to providing effective resources needed to deliver a high-quality final product. He collaborated with managers to create online training programs through Talent LMS to raise awareness and increase team member knowledge on ADA, elevators and survey/layout.

VanderVeen is a dedicated and driven person. He created a slogan of ‘aiming to build it right the first time’ to reduce re-work. He designed a poster with input from team members and is kicking off a companywide inaugural QC Day next month on every jobsite.

VanderVeen implemented OpenSpace technology for Exxel Pacific, which uses 360° cameras and AI to visually document jobsites to create 3D reality captures. By linking OpenSpace captures to QR codes, he was able to make pre-cover captures (MEPF, framing/blocking, etc) available to all subcontractors. OpenSpace corporate took notice of his innovative idea and created a case study on it.

VanderVeen wrote a Mold Prevention & Remediation Plan, and a Moisture Risk Management Plan to minimize potential risks from mold and moisture.

Outside of work, VanderVeen is involved in the community and is a strong advocate for children and youth. He was a Boy Scout volunteer for four years as a new member coordinator and he’s led Exxel Pacific teams to Boy Scout events to raise funds for kids from low-income families to attend summer camp where they learn first aid, wilderness survival, safety, knot tying, blacksmithing, and more.

VanderVeen’s advocacy for kids continues in his home through foster care. For the past six years, he and his wife have cared for seven children and given them a safe place to live. In addition to their three biological kids, they take 10+ hours of training each year to stay current with their license and most recently fostered a Spanish-speaking child.

On most Saturdays you can find him teaching high schoolers about construction through hands-on training. They’ve expressed appreciation for learning the safe use of power tools, best practices and how to run their own business someday.


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