Anything is Possible in Retirement

There’s no slowing down in retirement for Matt Simmons. After six plus years of service in the military, followed by a successful 30-year sales career, Simmons keeps busy as a new author.

A graduate of Prattsburgh Central School in Western New York, Simmons was one of 39 students in his class. “I was ranked #20 of 39, so I was in both the top half of the class and the bottom half,” he chuckled. He chose to enroll at Herkimer, based on cost and location, and said he recommended the same route for his children.

Simmons has fond memories of his time at Herkimer. “It was a big awakening of course, because I was now responsible for my future, but it was among the most fun times of my life,” he shared. Simmons played basketball for coach Jack Alofs, alongside NJCAA All American Kenny Black, and describes that experience as “highly memorable.” He also credits retired Professor Emeritus Ray Lenarcic with helping to shape his life. “RJ Lenarcic was the most amazing history teacher. He would instill humor into his lessons. We had fun in his class and learned a lot.” 

After earning his associate degree at Herkimer, Simmons enlisted in the U.S. Navy and worked in aviation administration on board the USS Midway and USS Forrestal. While in the Navy, he completed his bachelor’s degree taking his coursework onboard his aircraft carrier and at other locations he was stationed at. Following his military service, Simmons enjoyed a highly successful surgical device sales career.

These days, Simmons and his wife Carol reside in Palmetto, Florida and are the proud parents of three grown children. However, Simmons isn’t ready to slow down anytime soon.

Simmons began putting book ideas together during his working career and was able to devote more time to the process once he retired.  "I was responsible for preparing correspondence in the Navy and had always enjoyed writing and developing a finished product. The hobby then became a more serious passion once I retired."

His first book Find Your Hidden Treasure Chest was published in December 2023. The self-help book is based on the premise that nearly half of American households have no retirement savings and no plan for their financial futures. “This book is designed for people having trouble saving. It takes the reader into their expenses and helps find savings without needing to devote more money out of their paycheck,” said Simmons.

Simmons has had three book signings thus far, been a guest on a podcast, and had multiple newspaper articles featuring the book, and word continues to grow. “It’s probably not going to be a best seller, but it’s far exceeded my expectations,” he said.

Now, Simmons has three additional books in the pipeline. Almost complete is a book written for salespeople and inspired by conversations with a very good friend who worked in a similar sales market. “We were both successful and have things of value to share.”

Simmons is excited about his new-found passion and success as an author and wants others to know, "Retirement doesn't mean it's the end of your relevance, you can make it an opportunity perhaps to accomplish other things you've always wanted to do. Anything is possible." 

Find Your Hidden Treasure Chest by Matt Simmons is available in hardcover, paperback, and kindle on Amazon.

George “Matt” Simmons ’79, Humanities

by Rebecca Ruffing