Veterans Day Spotlight: MTN’s Matt Giangrosso

When you meet Midwest Transplant Network System Support Analyst II Matt Giangrosso, one of the first things you notice is his calm focus. It’s a quality that’s served him well across very different worlds, from maintaining the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber at Whiteman Air Force Base to troubleshooting computer systems that keep MTN connected every day.

Originally from Alabama, Matt joined the U.S. Air Force at 20 years old. He completed basic training in San Antonio, then tech school in Wichita Falls, Texas, where he trained in electrical and environmental systems for aircraft. His first assignment brought him to Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri, where he spent several years working on one of the most advanced aircraft in the world.

“Working on the B-2 was a cool experience,” Matt said. “It was full of new challenges, and learning how to troubleshoot those complex systems really shaped how I think. That process of breaking down problems and finding solutions has carried over perfectly into my work in IT.”

After leaving active duty in 2019, Matt transitioned to civilian life but not away from service. He continues to serve part time in the Missouri Air National Guard, maintaining aircraft and staying current with specialized training. His schedule includes monthly drills and annual training, balancing his commitment to the Guard with his full-time role at MTN.

Matt’s passion for technology actually began during his military years, when he decided to build his first computer from scratch. “It was nerve-wracking,” he said, laughing. “You’re dealing with these delicate, expensive parts, and I remember it took me 20 minutes just to get the courage to clamp the CPU into place. But when everything powered on for the first time, it was worth it.”

Today, that same curiosity drives his work supporting MTN’s staff with technical systems and devices. “Our IT team is great,” Matt said. “We learn from each other, stay current on new tech and figure out how we can keep improving things here to help MTN.”

This summer, Matt’s service took him to Washington, D.C., where he represented the Air National Guard at a Fourth of July celebration on the White House South Lawn. “It was an amazing experience,” he said. “You see the history and the pride everywhere. It was an honor to be part of it.”

When asked what Veterans Day means to him, Matt answered, “It’s a sense of pride. Wearing the uniform is an honor, and Veterans Day is about reflecting on that, on the people who served before us and what they sacrificed for the freedoms we have today.”

Matt’s life has come full circle in more ways than one. He once considered a career in nursing before choosing the Air Force, and now he works in support of MTN’s mission to save lives through organ, eye and tissue donation. His wife, a nurse in the NICU at Truman Medical Center, shares that same calling to care for others.

From aircraft to IT systems, from Alabama to Kansas City, Matt continues to serve quietly and faithfully wherever he’s needed most.