Generation Dayton Featured Professional

Name:: Matthew Drerup
Title:: Senior Analyst
Organization:: U.S. Government Accountability Office
Community Involvement (groups, clubs, boards, etc.):: Generation Dayton, high school football official, and volunteering at Dayton area summer festivals like the Cityfolk Festival and Celtic Festival.
Hobbies and Interests:: Spending time with family and friends, reading, running (attempting a 1/2 marathon this year), music, movies, college football, and much more.
Favorite Area Eatery:: South Park Tavern (http://www.southparktavern.com)
Favorite Weekend Activity:: Attending local area sporting events such as Dayton Dragons games in the summer and University of Dayton basketball games in the winter.
What do you love about Dayton?: If you make an effort to explore the Dayton area, there is a wide variety of fun activities and attractions to take advantage of in the area. From the summer and fall festivals in the downtown area to attractions like the Air Force Museum and Carillon Park to locales like Yellow Springs or the Oregon District … you have to just get out there and find it.
How has Generation Dayton aided your professional, personal and/or social development?: I made several new friends by networking through Gen D and have been introduced to many new local businesses and organizations by attending Gen D events. Additionally, I have had the opportunity to volunteer at several Gen D community service activities. Last but not least, I played mud volleyball for the first time last summer because of Gen D! (I highly recommend joining the Gen D mud volleyball team in 2010!)
Tell us a little more about your profession and company...: The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) is known as the investigative arm of Congress and is often referred to as "the congressional watchdog." GAO’s work is done at the request of congressional committees or subcommittees or is mandated by public laws or committee reports. The GAO supports congressional oversight of the federal government by auditing agency operations; investigating allegations of improper activities; and reporting on how well government programs and policies are meeting their objectives.
What do you enjoy about your career/profession? Employer?: During my 5 years in the Dayton field office, I have worked on a variety of challenging assignments that include assessments of weapon system acquisitions and evaluations of government procurement practices. I am currently reviewing the Recovery Act funding being provided to local governments and organizations in Ohio. GAO’s work gives me a sense of improving governmental activities as I help find ways to make government more efficient, effective, ethical, equitable and responsive. And hopefully, GAO’s work also increases the public’s confidence in government activities as well.
Favorite quote or inspiratonal saying:: "You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. " - Steve Jobs, Stanford University commencement address, June 2005; Click here to view past featured professionals.