Albert C. Matlock III

Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, Cornell University

“A thoughtful, driven, entrepreneurially minded person dedicated to making unconditional contributions impacting communities through business.”

Hometown: Trenton, New Jersey

Fun fact about yourself: I’m a co-owner of an e-commerce plant-based soap company called 1000grams.

Undergraduate School and Degree:

Undergraduate: College of New Jersey, Business Administration;

Graduate: Pratt Institute, Master of Real Estate Practice

Where was the last place you worked before enrolling in business school? New York State Housing and Community Renewal (NYSHCR), Multifamily Finance Underwriter

Where did you intern during the summer of 2023? JPMorgan Chase, New York City

Where will you be working after graduation? JPMorgan Chase, Senior Associate for Strategy and Partnerships

Community Work and Leadership Roles in Business School:

• Associate Real Estate Council, Cornell University (MBA Co-President)
• Philip Payton Society for Minorities in Real Estate (Vice President for Outreach and Engagement)
• Cornell eLab student business accelerator (2022-23 Cohort Entrepreneur)
• Consortium for Graduate Study in Management (Class of 2024 Active Member)

Which academic or extracurricular achievement are you most proud of during business school? It was leading the outreach for corporate sponsorship efforts for the Philip Payton Society during my MBA journey at Cornell Johnson is my proudest accomplishment. Developing a comprehensive communication strategy to secure support for the historically Black Colleges and Universities’ Case Competitions and Real Estate Symposium allowed me to deeply engage with my passion for diversity in real estate. I witnessed the summit’s exponential growth, which doubled participation, secured sponsorships from industry giants, and provided transformative experiences for the 20 undergraduate student participants from Spelman, Florida A&M University, North Carolina A&T, and Howard. This reaffirmed my commitment to fostering positive impact through business.

What achievement are you most proud of in your professional career? During my tenure at New York State Housing and Community Renewal, I led compliance for Section 8 project-based voucher record management systems in the state’s underwriter’s unit. Ensuring the accuracy of the reporting for low-income housing tax credit projects was crucial for keeping homes accessible to low-income families. This role included archiving crucial documentation across a portfolio of state-financed projects, which were shared with the Department of Housing and Urban Development to help subsidize the financing of affordable housing. The responsibility expanded beyond my role, earning respect and fueling my passion for affordable housing development. Knowing that my efforts indirectly impacted thousands of New Yorkers is something I am proud of and underscored the critical role integrity plays in whatever work you do.

Why did you choose this business school? Before business school, I lived in busy cities like Los Angeles and New York City, where life was fast-paced and hectic. Seeking a change to a slower pace of life, I sought a business school environment offering tranquility and deep focus. Cornell Johnson’s serene, secluded setting in upstate New York perfectly aligned with this need, providing an environment conducive to intense academic and personal growth. Surrounded by peaceful nature, I found the ideal atmosphere for deep concentration and reflection, fully immersing myself in my studies and, more importantly, the Johnson community, where I could truly get to know my classmates without the distractions of city life.

What was your favorite course as an MBA? My favorite course during my MBA was Financial Markets and Institutions, taught by Professor Maureen O’Hara. This course provided a deep dive into the history and business of banking, offering a profound understanding of the intricacies shaping the financial industry and its global impact. I learned so much exploring topics such as the central banking system, fixed-income securities, financial derivatives, and securitization. By the end of that course, I gained valuable insights into the significant risks and rewards associated with these financial tools.

Looking back over your MBA experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently and why? If I could do one thing differently, I’d fully immerse myself in the leadership expeditions and excursions to places like the Adirondacks or Patagonia. While I joined other career-related or spring break treks, in hindsight, I see that I could have stretched beyond my comfort zone even more. These experiences would’ve provided invaluable chances to push personal boundaries and better uncover my unique leadership style in extremely different environments while building deeper connections with my MBA peers.

What is the biggest myth about your school? The biggest myth about the Cornell Johnson School is that it’s solely focused on banking and consulting; my time at Johnson has proven otherwise. Students with passions in marketing, entrepreneurship, real estate, sustainability and innovation thrive here. With Johnson’s strong network of various industries – coupled with personal drive, initiative and effective communication – students can forge their own path and leave a profound mark.

What surprised you the most about business school? What surprised me the most about business school was the extent to which initiatives are student-led, essentially influencing everything from clubs and travel to events and curriculum development. This hands-on approach empowered students to actively shape the school’s culture and educational experience. Johnson’s student-centered approach is inspiring and motivates you to discover ways to contribute to the community.

Which MBA classmate do you most admire? I most admire Ian Cairns. We initially connected while working on startup ideas and later committed to early-morning workouts the following semester. His unwavering consistency, focus, and diligence during our workouts reflected a balanced approach to life and a commitment to making the most out of the MBA experience. Beyond our workouts, I learned about Ian’s background as a former chef at a Michelin-starred restaurant and his innovative work in creating sustainable food products and services. His humble character and relentless pursuit of his passions were both admirable and fascinating, solidifying our bond as close friends and highlighting our shared values and entrepreneurial ambitions.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

• Excel in my leadership, ascending from senior associate to vice president at JPMorgan Chase within two years or less.
• Embark on an entrepreneurial journey, founding an affordable housing development and consulting firm and successfully closing three deals within five years.

What made Albert such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2024?

“The only hard part of writing this letter is where to begin. Albert has done it all — a great student, entrepreneur, actively involved in social issues, and student leader. Let me set out below some of the many reasons I think Albert should be selected as a Best and Brightest MBA. First, and in my view most importantly, Albert is a very good student, having taken my MBA Financial Markets and Institutions course. He was a delight to have in the class – dedicated, smart and willing to share his experiences and viewpoints. Many of his contemporaries seem to forget that being at a top University is an opportunity to learn and to position themselves to not only help their own careers but ultimately benefit society as well. Albert has been fully engaged at Cornell, taking courses both here in the business school and in our Baker Program in Real Estate. I am impressed that he took advantage of our exchange program with the London School of Economics, as well as participated in our student study trip to Israel.

But what he does outside of the classroom is what makes him particularly stand out. He is on the board of the Society of Minority Real Estate Professionals at Cornell and is co-president of Cornell’s Associate Real Estate Council. In these capacities, he has helped organize a case competition for students from historically Black colleges and universities. He has also been actively involved with our undergraduate minority real estate students. He will join JPMorgan Chase after graduation in its real estate strategy group. Making housing more accessible to minorities is a goal for Albert, and working at JPMorgan Chase will be a great opportunity to acquire experience to pursue this goal. Albert is extremely entrepreneurial — he founded and currently runs a soap company — so I expect at some point he will strike out on his own, founding a venture to facilitate minority involvement in real estate or other finance-related areas. I and my fellow faculty look forward to following what I know will be a very successful and impactful career. He has been an outstanding MBA student and someone we are extremely proud of at Cornell. I hope you will recognize his achievement as a Best and Brightest MBA.”

Maureen O’Hara
Professor of Finance
Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management
Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

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