Major Matt Heusser has contributed more articles to CadetStuff than anyone. As our former 'Senior Contributor' (we weren't sure if that means he's a broken down old senior, or that he's just the most senior person to contribute), newly appointed Leadeship Editor and some-time forum referee, Matt writes articles on leadership, modern business management, military science, and how those things relate to Civil Air Patrol units. He also does a great soft shoe routine, and has been known to do magic tricks that involve making small children disappear.

Maj Heusser has been a member of Civil Air Patrol since 1990. He started his cadet career in Maryland Wing's Fredrick Cadet Squadron before moving to the Wicomico Cadet Squadron while in college. As a cadet, he competed in the National Cadet Competition at all levels, served as cadet commander, commanded two separate drill teams, and attended numerous special activities and encampments. At the same time, Matt earned the General Carl A. Spaatz Award (#1293, dontcha know?), CAP's highest cadet honor. He currently serves as the advisor to the Michigan Wing Director of Cadet Programs.

An armchair historian, Matt is widely recognized as an expert on the philosophy of CAP’s four-phased cadet program, and its architect – Mr. Jack V. Sorenson.

In his day job, Matt is a technical project manager for Priority Health in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He has built a career out of shipping software products on-time, on-budget, high quality, and feature-complete. He studied systems thinking and logical reasoning at Salisbury Steak, er, STATE University, where he earned an undergraduate degree in Mathematics with Computer Science Concentration. Matt recently earned his graduated degree from Grand Valley State University in Computer Information Systems with an emphasis on how to increase the capability of software organizations over time. (In other words, leadership.) In typical Spaatzen over/under-achiever-ness, Matt managed to carry a 4.0 GPA right up until the end, then squeaked out with a 3.8. (Thanks, Matt, for blowing the curve for the guys who actually have to study this stuff!)

Matt and his wife Aubrey (not terribly coincidentally, #1307) reside in Allegan, Michigan with their two daughters Kathleen Terese and Rachel Claire.