RICK is proud to welcome Matthew Vega as Managing Principal of our Irvine office. With more than 25 years of experience, he brings a wealth of experience from technical and executive leadership roles and has led civil and vertical development projects throughout Southern California. Over the course of his career, he’s earned a reputation for building strong teams and expertly managing complex and multidisciplinary projects with a clear and collaborative approach.
“Over the years, I’ve learned that strong teams don’t just happen. Leadership is about empowering others to embrace change and building a culture where people feel seen, supported, and motivated to do their best work—all while growing both personally and professionally.” —Matthew Vega, RICK Managing Principal, Irvine Office
Before moving into executive leadership, Vega spent years in technical roles, collaborating with clients, city agencies, and internal teams to guide projects from concept to completion. His experience spans commercial, residential, and public infrastructure, with a focus on site development and team coordination. His experiences helped him understand that successful projects depend just as much on people and communication as they do on technical design.
Early in his career, Vega managed multiple large-scale land development projects that required coordination across multiple disciplines, teaching him the importance of shared ownership. Later in his career, he helped launch a geospatial services stream, where he saw how strong teams form when people feel supported both professionally and personally. Together, those two experiences shaped his approach to building resilient and adaptable teams.
“At this stage in my career, I’m drawn to places that prioritize people and community. RICK’s reputation for advancing landmark projects and investing in people made this the ideal next chapter for me.” —Matthew Vega
As Managing Principal, Vega is focused on growing the Irvine office and expanding RICK’s reach across the broader Southern California market. He sees opportunity in areas such as housing, infrastructure resilience, and sustainable development—sectors that are rapidly evolving as Southern California continues to change. He’s also looking to strengthen relationships with public agencies and to position RICK as a trusted partner for projects.
“Southern California is evolving quickly, and with that comes major opportunities. I see an opportunity to position RICK as the go-to firm for collaborative and high-impact projects in both the public and private sectors.” —Matthew Vega
Vega brings a strong focus on team culture and internal growth, and he emphasizes that leadership starts with listening. He makes it a point to understand what motivates each person on his team and how to set them up for success. Whether through professional development or making time to celebrate a win, Vega works to create a culture where people feel supported and seen. He believes in creating a team-first environment where people feel heard and energized to do their best work.
Matt Vega has already been a strong addition to the Irvine office in the short time he’s been here, and we are excited for what’s ahead. We look forward to seeing the Irvine office continue to grow under his leadership.