Matthew J. Rogers got an early start in construction when, at 18 months old, he began routinely disassembling his crib and other toys. An innate curiosity about how things work and a love of “dirty jobs” motivated Matt to seek out apprenticeships with tradespeople before even receiving his driver’s license. A born entrepreneur, by 16 years old, Matt was running a handyman business and saving money to pursue his dream of moving from his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, to Los Angeles, CA, after high school graduation.
In 1995, after several exciting years in L.A., Matt decided to pursue a college degree and enrolled at Kent State University. While in college, Matt continued to work in construction to put himself through school. He also volunteered for Habitat for Humanity during his time and lent his skills to helping Florida residents rebuild after the devastation of Hurricane Andrew. An active member of his church, Matt traveled to El Salvador to build churches and houses—an experience that would spark a love of travel and exploration. From sailing the Caribbean to exploring India and teaching English in Thailand, Matt got to satisfy his curiosity again—this time about others’ cultures, lived experiences, and languages. He got to “learn by doing”—the preferred learning style of most of those in the trades!
After graduating college and returning to Los Angeles, Matt became a licensed Contractor, gaining experience in both residential and commercial settings. In 2012 Matt earned his insurance license and became a contractors’ insurance specialist. It was a natural fit. Knowing both sides of the business uniquely positions Matt to connect with his clients, who entrust him to leverage his expertise to design solutions to help their businesses thrive. Matt’s clients value his professionalism, specialized knowledge, attention to detail, creativity, and collaborative skills.
Matthew J. Rogers is the president of CRS – Contractors Risk Solutions Inc, a California-based brokerage specializing in construction insurance. He has also spearheaded Contractor’s Risk Solutions (CRS), CRS’s division of Risk Management. Matt utilizes his 30 years of experience to create strategic solutions to protect his clients’ companies.
Matt has consulted for the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) regarding Workers’ Compensation and is recognized as an expert witness. He holds a designation as a Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist (CRIS) and is the author of the book, The Contractors Guide to Insurance. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and daughter.