NDSU alumna Matt Fischer feels most comfortable behind the scenes. However, his leadership, community involvement and business acumen recently pushed him front-and-center. 

Fischer, BS ’03, speech communication, MS ’06, mass communication, was recognized in Prairie Business magazine’s “40 Under 40,” which each year recognizes outstanding professionals under the age of 40 for their contributions to their organizations and the community.

“I’m one of those guys who likes to keep my head down and push forward,” said Fischer, a promotional consultant for S&S Promotional Group and chief operating officer of GW Gear in Grand Forks, N.D. “This honor was definitely a surprise. And I’m obviously very much humbled by it.”

Fischer, who is from Grand Forks, has worked with S & S Promotional Group since graduating from NDSU. He works with businesses and non-profit organizations on marketing plans that will help attract new employees and retain current employees. At GW Gear, a retail business that sells apparel, he’s in charge of day-to-day operations.

Fischer was a key member of the Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals group and he participates on advisory boards and boards of directors for several organizations and community projects in Grand Forks.

“I look back fondly at my time at NDSU,” Fischer said. “I really fell in love with the communication department. I love the idea of the art of communication and the science behind communication. What I learned there has really helped me in business.”

NDSU is recognized as one of the nation’s top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.