About Matt

Early Life and Education

Matt McLaughlin was born and raised in Bedford, NH, as the youngest of 10 children.

His educational journey took him from Bedford public schools to Trinity High School, then to Bridgton Academy Prep School, and finally to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, where he graduated in 1981. At the Naval Academy, Matt distinguished himself as a three-year letterman on the varsity football team, participating in two bowl games and beating Army three out of four seasons.

Family Life

Matt is married to Debbie Myers, who grew up in Manchester.

Together, they have three children and five grandchildren, weaving a tight-knit family deeply rooted in New Hampshire. While in the navy Matt and Debbie were stationed in Pensacola FL, Lemoore CA, and Jacksonville FL, then they returned to New Hampshire, first settling in Manchester before building a house on his family’s property in Bedford in 1993.

Military Service

After graduation, Matt and Debbie were stationed in Pensacola Florida where Matt earned his navy wings as a jet pilot qualified in aircraft carrier operations.

He finished his training qualified to fly the A-7E Corsair II light attack aircraft. Matt was assigned to Attack Squadron 86, part of Carrier Air Wing 8, and assigned to the USS Nimitz.

Matt did three deployments on board Nimitz, accumulating over 350 carrier landings. He crossed the Arctic Circle (bluenose) the equator (shellback) and circumnavigated the southern tip of South America.

Career After the Navy

Matt spent a total of 33 years as a commercial airline pilot with Northwest Airlines and Delta Airlines. He was privileged to fly all over the world including Europe, Asia, Canada, and the Caribbean.