Jacksonville-based lobbyist Matt Brockelman has left his partnership at The Southern Group to become VyStar Credit Union’s vice president of government affairs.
VyStar announced the hiring July 26 in a news release.
According to the credit union, Brockelman, 32, will manage and coordinate VyStar’s local, state and federal government relations in the new position.
Brockelman’s move, first reported July 26 by Florida Politics, comes after nearly seven years at The Southern Group where VyStar was one of his clients.
Brockelman also announced the move on his Facebook page.
“Because of our continued growth as a credit union, it’s vital to have a team member who can focus on building relationships in the public sector while also keeping a pulse on important issues of the day,” VyStar President and CEO Brian Wolfburg said in the release.
“Matt is a natural leader whose integrity and understanding of all levels of government will be a tremendous asset for our organization.”
The release said Brockelman will facilitate VyStar’s involvement with industry trade associations, advocacy groups, chambers of commerce and civic organizations.
“VyStar pursues a wide range of initiatives with local governments and school districts that are relevant to its field of membership, and its recent expansion and participation in federal initiatives such as the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program makes interfacing with federal officials increasingly important,” the release says.
Before joining Southern Group in December 2014, Brockelman was a lobbyist for the University of North Florida under President John Delaney.
He also worked in the city’s public affairs office during Mayor Alvin Brown’s administration.
Brockelman is a Jacksonville native. He graduated from UNF where he served one year as Student Government Association president.
Mayor Lenny Curry appointed him to the Downtown Development Review Board in September 2020.
In a text message July 26, Brockelman said VyStar’s “all-hands-on-deck” small businesses relief programs early in the coronavirus pandemic sparked his interest in working for the credit union.
VyStar partnered with the city of Jacksonville in April 2020 to make a $50 million loan pool available in its COVID-19 Small Business Relief Loan Program.
“VyStar has a strong reputation as a trusted financial institution, but what truly sets it apart as an organization is the willingness of its team members to step up as community leaders,” Brockelman said.
The Southern Group Jacksonville office Managing Partner Chris Hagan said in a statement July 26 that Brockelman was “a very important part” of the firm’s operation.
“Working with VyStar is an incredible opportunity and I have all the confidence Matt will continue to shine in management at VyStar as he did at the Southern Group,” he said. “We wish him all the best.”