I recently sat down with one of the newest members of the Idaho Public Television team, Matt Orem, who serves as Director of Finance. “I manage the finance team, oversee components of human resources and payroll, and I’m responsible for the budget, expenditures, and cash management,” Matt says. “It’s a big job—and I just started in April. Thankfully, I have a great staff and feel very welcome. Everyone’s been incredibly kind and accommodating.”
An Idaho native, Matt was born in Coeur d’Alene before his family relocated to the Treasure Valley when he was five. He grew up in the Star/Meridian area, graduated from Meridian High School, and went on to the University of Idaho on a Navy ROTC scholarship. After graduation, he served as a naval officer. “I saw the world through a porthole and then came back to Idaho,” he laughs. His service took him to places like Africa, India, and the Persian Gulf.
Life at sea was demanding. “We spent a lot of time away from home. I used to write out my checks a year in advance, postdate them, and give them to my roommate because I didn’t know when I’d be back,” Matt recalls. One of the most intense experiences came off the coast of Somalia, just after the infamous Black Hawk helicopter incident. “It was a horrific place—lots of chaos. It made me appreciate living in the United States, especially Idaho,” he says.
After completing his service, Matt returned to the Gem State, married a first-grade teacher (“I don’t know how she does it!”), and together they’ve raised three children. He also remembers growing up with IdahoPTV. “My parents would set me in front of the TV, and I watched Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, The Electric Company—pretty much everything PBS had on because we didn’t have cable. Later, I got into Benny Hill and Monty Python. It was an all-American upbringing,” he jokes.
Today, Matt is proud to support IdahoPTV’s mission. “We do so much more than put out Sesame Street or Big Bird videos. We’re also part of the state’s public safety system—supporting emergency alerts and infrastructure. It’s critical work,” he explains.
Outside the office, Matt enjoys golfing, hunting, fishing, and traveling. “I like to get out of the U.S. and go someplace warm. Last summer, we went to the Bahamas; the year before, Mexico. It’s fun to see the world again.” On his travel bucket list: Australia and Europe—places he didn’t visit during his naval career. “As a West Coast sailor, we spent time in China, Taiwan, Thailand, and the Persian Gulf, but never made it around the Cape of Africa.”
At home, Matt leans toward healthier living. Because he’s gluten- and dairy-free, he enjoys cooking meals that are both nutritious and family-friendly. When it comes to snacks, though, his go-to is simple: chips and salsa.
And when it’s time to relax, you’ll likely find him in the heart of Idaho. “The Sawtooth Mountain range reminds me of a postcard. Fishing, hunting, Redfish Lake … swimming in a glacier-fed lake—it’s cold, but it’s fun.”
And in case you’re wondering: his all-time favorite PBS Kids character is Cookie Monster.