Matthew Godinez serves as the Assistant Secretary for the Kansas Department of Commerce. He is responsible for providing oversight, management, and direction to sub-divisions that include Kansas Main Street, Community Development Block Grants, the Office of Rural Prosperity, the Office of Broadband Development, and Quality Place Specialists. His work entails setting the strategy for the Quality Places Division (QPD), driving internal administrative improvements related to agency operations, and ensuring Quality Places programs are aligned with the Kansas Framework for Growth. 

Under Godinez’s leadership, the Quality Places Division (QPD) has been internationally recognized for its innovative and impactful work. In 2025, QPD received two Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Awards from the National Association of Development Organizations (NADO), the Excellence in Economic Development GOLD Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) — one of the most prestigious recognitions in the field — as well as the COSCDA President’s Award for Innovation for CDBG’s Youth Job Training project.  

Matt previously served as the Executive Director of the Chanute Regional Development Authority and the Southeast Kansas Regional Planning Commission. He has been named one of the Top 50 Economic Developers in North America, Top 40 Under 40 in Economic Development, and is a Leadership Kansas alum. In 2022, Matt received his Master Economic Development Practitioner designation from the University of Southern Mississippi, and in 2024, he graduated from both the Certified Public Manager program and the Advanced Economic Development Leadership program from the University of Kansas.