Matt Friedman is the Chief of the Office of Aviation Planning in the Caltrans Division of Aeronautics.  He is a native of Burlingame, CA. and has earned degrees from Macalester College (Biology, Anthropology) the University of North Carolina (Masters in Regional Planning) and Hebrew Union College (MAHL, rabbinic ordination and Honorary Doctor of Divinity.)

As Office Chief, Friedman oversees statewide airport area land use planning that includes, providing guidance to airport land use commissions and local agencies. He oversees review and response to local notifications of intent to overrule ALUC determinations.  Current projects include revising the California Airport Land Use Planning Handbook and the California Aviation System Plan.  He participates in activities related to Advanced Air Mobility, research projects pertaining to assessing locations of potential vertiport sites.

Prior to joining Aeronautics, he was a Senior Transportation Planner in the Traffic Operations, also serving in other positions within Caltrans.

Before working at Caltrans, Friedman he was an appointed member of an Airport Commission (Hot Springs, AR), Planning Commission (St. Joseph, MO) and participated in numerous civic organizations including Rotary Clubs and historic preservation organizations.

Currently, Friedman is a chaplain in the California State Guard and holds the rank of Major.  He is assigned to the 195^th Support Wing and Joint Forces Headquarters.  He also served as the rabbi of congregations in Arkansas, Missouri and California.

Friedman was an instructor at the University of Phoenix for 10 years and has taught at Sacramento State University as well as Missouri Western State College.

Friedman was elected to two terms as a member of the Center Joint Unified School District Board of Trustees and served two years as board president.

He is married to Mary Friedman, a teacher at Jesuit High School in Sacramento.  The Friedmans are the extremely proud parents of Talia, a Junior at Seattle University.