Meet Mat Faulkner

Searcy became Mat Faulkner’s home 24 years ago when he moved from Florida to attend Harding University.

It was there he met his wife, Shelley (Lawson) who teaches 4th grade at Southwest Middle School. They have three boys — Easton (17), Lawson (14), and Jace (12) — who attend Searcy Public Schools.

For the past 20 years, Mat has served as CEO of Think Idea Studio, a marketing agency that has worked with over 2,000 businesses in a wide range of industries, many from Searcy. He has served the Searcy Regional Economic Development Corporation, Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce, Jacob’s Place Homeless Mission, Searcy Beats & Eats, among many other organizations.

Mat is open about his values and priorities; God, family, and community. He believes we should “bloom where we are planted” and has used his God-given talents to volunteer thousands of hours to help make Searcy a wonderful place to live.

Mat has the unique ability to see a need, envision a solution, and then put a plan in action to make positive change. He realizes progress happens when an entire community of people works together.

On a personal level, Mat is a Christian, husband, father and friend. On a professional level, he is an open-minded, creative entrepreneur and leader. On a community level, Mat is a visionary, servant-minded volunteer.

While his list of accomplishments and professional experiences is extensive, perhaps his best qualification to be mayor is his heart. It only takes working with him for a short time to realize he is honest, trustworthy, hardworking and dependable.

Searcy needs a strong leader who will make intelligent decisions to move Searcy forward. Mat Faulkner is that leader.

Experience & Community Involvement

  • Board member of the Searcy Regional Economic Development Corporation
  • Served as the Small Business Committee chair for the Chamber of Commerce and developed Small Biz University, Consultants Club, Shopapalooza, and other programs
  • Served as a board president for Jacob’s Place Homeless Mission
  • Co-Director of Searcy Beats & Eats events and festivals
  • Director of the Think ART Project, organizing public art installations like downtown murals, Art Alley, and Citizen Park

  • Organized and led efforts for Searcy winning Small Business Revolution Season 4

  • Initiated the Revolution Fund to raise money to help local businesses

  • Worked with numerous non-profits including Sparrow’s Promise, Friends for Life, Hope Restored, Child Safety Center, Sunshine School, United Way, Special Olympics and others

  • Collaborates with local educational institutions to promote Searcy as a STEM hub for robotics competitions
  • Led Searcy in winning a Henry Award at the Arkansas Governor’s Tourism Conference
  • Recognized as an Arkansas Business 40 Under 40 honoree in 2017
  • Searcy Regional Chamber of Commerce “Business of the Year” 2017
  • Presented TEDx talk on the impact of Arts & Culture and Place-making on small towns
  • Presents regularly at schools and universities on the topic of entrepreneurism and community involvement
  • Initiates and organizes community efforts like Searcy’s Big Bloomin’ Weekend, Veteran’s Day Portraits of American Heroes, and Park ‘n’ Pray events
  • Actively working toward a public transit solution to assist Searcy area residents with mobility challenges
  • Worked with over 2,000+ businesses developing marketing and communication strategies and budgets
  • Patent recipient for inventing a drivers’ safety device “Pull Over Pouch”
  • Renovated and preserved the top level of Robbins Sanford Mercantile in downtown Searcy
  • Inducted into Harding University’s Sigma Nu Tau entrepreneurship honor society
  • Winner of the Ignite Presentation Competition at the Arkansas 2019 Breakthrough Solutions Conference in Little Rock
  • Community Coordinator for Global Entrepreneurship Week

  • “Citizen of the Year” presented by the Searcy Rotary Club 2019

Together We Can Do So Much

Our collective ideas, perspectives, and experiences will produce a greater outcome. My faith drives my desire to serve others and is at the heart of why I’m seeking this role.