Bob Mathews

Bob Mathews, a University of North Georgia alumnus and CEO of Colliers International, has accomplished great things during his 74 years, including being inducted into the U.S. Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Hall of Fame and being named the Realtor of the Year from the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors in 2016.

After he graduated from UNG in 1971 with a bachelor's degree in political science, Mathews served in the U.S. Army for six years as a military police officer and completed his master's degree in systems management from the University of Southern California.

From there, Mathews became an award-winning business leader and an esteemed member of his community. He is the president and CEO of Colliers International, an Atlanta-based global real estate services and investment management company that operates in 69 countries.

Mathews attributes much of his leadership skills and business acumen to his experience and education at UNG. Mathews named the late Dr. John Owen, UNG's president from 1970-1992, as a major influence on his life. Mathews still holds him in the highest esteem, and models his leadership style on Owen's.

"(Owen) had a big impact on a lot of people, and certainly on me," Mathews said. "His energy and style of leadership was quiet and strong. He was not an autocratic tyrant. He had a presence and a warm demeanor. He was an amazing person. He was a great leader."

Bick Cardwell, chairman of Colliers International, said Mathews has a similar leadership style.

"He has compassion and passion," Cardwell said. "He’s just been really caring with the employees. We call him the 'Little General' because he is very demonstrative and passionate, and that's appealing to all of the employees, from the partners down to the staff. He loves what he does. He is a wonderful role model and leader for all of us."

Mathews said he often looks back to his earlier years for guidance and leadership techniques. For example, he said the military changed his perspective on the world because it gave him the opportunity to meet a variety of individuals with different ideologies.

"I loved being in the Army. It was a great experience and a great learning laboratory for me," said Mathews, who finished his stint in the Army as a captain and the commander of the 526th Military Police Company in Fort Meade, Maryland. "You have to learn how to adapt to those folks with different experiences and different cultural norms and different ideas and learn how to be a part of that and embrace it."

Mathews has been awarded for his military service. In 2016, he was inducted into the U.S. Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) Hall of Fame during the 100th anniversary celebration of ROTC. It is an honor bestowed on ROTC graduates who exceed both in military and civilian areas.

He also has been recognized for his business expertise. In 2009 he was presented with the Realtor of the Year Award from the Atlanta Commercial Board of Realtors.  In 2012 Mathews was awarded the Silver Phoenix Award by the same organization. Mathews also was named one of the most admired CEOs by the Atlanta Business Chronicle in 2017.

Cardwell said he was surprised Mathews had yet to receive the award.

"A lot of good company leaders are in Atlanta, and he epitomizes what you want in a leader," Cardwell said. "He has the guts to do what needs to be done to make the company successful."

Mathews also understands the importance of giving back. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Educational Foundation of the Atlanta Board of Realtors and volunteers as a member of the Board of Directors of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Midtown Alliance.

For his alma mater, Mathews is a past president of the UNG Alumni Association and is chairman of the UNG Real Estate Foundation.

Though Mathews has achieved so much, he still gives the credit to those around him.

"What I am most proud of is our team in Atlanta in the commercial real estate business," he said. "They are the foundations to the success of our business."