Matthew Ogden

Veteran Matthew Ogden made the choice to join the Virginia Army National Guard to fulfill a sense of duty to our country and to better himself as a person.

He served in the Virginia Army National guard for six years from 2014 to 2020. In 2016, he was deployed to Qatar as a part of Operation Spartan Shield to provide security support. Once he returned home, he was awarded with an Army Achievement medal for his professionalism and performance during his deployment.

After leaving the military, Matthew pursued a career path in local business with Fleet Feet. For the past three years, he has worked at the Roanoke location and is currently serving as the General Manager. Fleet Feet Roanoke aims to be a welcoming and inclusive destination that empowers the Roanoke, VA community to become a more active and healthier place to live. The company’s mission really strikes home with Matthew and serves as a constant motivator to him.

“I find true fulfillment in impacting the community in a positive manner through physical fitness and wellness.”

His job at Fleet Feet Roanoke comes with more than just a great career path. It gives him the opportunity to be a part of Project Forward, a non-profit started by the owners of Fleet Feet Roanoke Robin and Blaine Lewis. Project Forward aims to increase accessibility to fitness essentials and a means to move in the Roanoke community. Matthew and his co-workers have been able to provide good shoes and socks to the economically disadvantaged in the area while also laying the groundwork to create a healthier, more active community.

Project Forward also runs The Back to School Shoes Project initiative which provides new shoes and new socks to students in need in Roanoke City Public Schools. To see more or donate to Project Forward and the Back to School Shoes Project, click here.

Branch Manager Jonathan Sweat and The Legacy Team from our ALCOVA Roanoke branch were privileged to present Matthew with his Hometown Hero award.

*Pictured left to right: Cat Eakin, Matthew Ogden, Logan Bane, Helen Boitnott, Blaine Lewis, Robin Lewis, Jonathan Sweat, Dixie Lowe, and Ellyson Spickard.

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