Matthew Brooks

Matt Brooks is the Founder and Principal of Second Echelon Capital, an investment firm focused on expanding economic opportunity by partnering with and investing in military veteran entrepreneurs. Through disciplined capital allocation and long-term stewardship, he works alongside veterans acquiring and scaling small businesses across the United States.

Previously, Matt acquired and led RFID Hotel, growing a small family business into an industry leader and earning recognition as a two-time Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company. He later led the successful sale of the business to a strategic acquirer.

Matt retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Colonel after more than two decades of service. A trained bomber pilot, he commanded organizations of up to 5,500 personnel and served in strategy and policy roles at the Pentagon and U.S. Central Command. He was selected as the U.S. Fellow at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy in Switzerland, and his final assignment was as Commander of the 5th Bomb Wing and Installation Commander at Minot Air Force Base.

Matt holds a bachelor’s degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy and a master’s degree from The George Washington University. He is a Fellow of the University of Chicago’s Leadership & Society Initiative (Class of 2025) and remains active in professional and nonprofit governance roles.