Matt Irish

Vice Chairman

Matt Irish is Vice Chairman of O’Neill and Associates and manager of the firm’s state government relations practice. Drawing upon his more than 25 years of experience with the Massachusetts Legislature and numerous political campaigns, Matt develops and implements public affairs strategies for clients. He also provides advice and counsel related to the strategic growth of the company and large-scale business development initiatives.

His clients have included Pepsi, Apple, The Boston Foundation, Safelite Autoglass, Cape Cod Commercial Fisherman’s Alliance, Abiomed, Utility Workers of America Local 369, Tufts Health Plan, Everytown for Gun Safety, Boston Scientific, the American Resort Development Association, the Massachusetts Lodging Association, General Motors, Caesars, Brookfield Renewables, and Total Wine & More.

Prior to joining O’Neill and Associates, Matt served as Chief of Staff for Massachusetts State Senator Steven Tolman. In this role, he oversaw and directed all legislative, budgetary, personnel, and administrative matters and acted as media spokesman. Before becoming Chief of Staff, Matt served as Senator Tolman’s Senior Legislative Aide and Staff Director. He began his career as Press Assistant to then-U.S. Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle.

Matt graduated from UMass Amherst with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He spent his junior year studying at Trinity College in Dublin. He holds two graduate degrees: a master’s in modern Irish history from Boston College and a master’s in public affairs from the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy Studies at UMass Boston. Matt is a native and resident of Worcester and a graduate of Saint John’s High School of Shrewsbury. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the National Association of State Lobbyists (NASL) and as the President of the Board of Trustees of the Worcester Public Library Foundation.