GerHistorian

Shari L. Mattern (born July 3, 1968) is a nationally award winning brand and communications strategist.

She is the great-great granddaughter of Peter Ranco, a chief of the Penobscot Indians in the early 1900s and a relative of Jimmie Mattern, an American aviator. She is of German, Irish, English and Penobscot Indian ancestry

Her great grandfather, Thomas Greany, had a large four-story brick building designed in a vernacular late Victorian commercial style in Fall River, Massachusetts where he operated a successful commercial business. Today the Greany Building is a historic mixed-use commercial and residential building located at 1270–1288 Pleasant Street in Fall River, Massachusetts.

Early Life

Shari Mattern was born on 3 July 1968 in Riverside, California. She is the second of three children born to James L. Mattern (born 1939), a decorated military officer serving in both the United States Airforce and Army and Ann E. Mattern (nee Midwood; born 1943), a housewife. She was christianed in the Catholic Church.

Mattern’s attended Catholic schools during her early years. She spent her gap year studying abroad in Denmark. She is a graduate of the University of Houston where she majored in Political Science and minored in History. During her university years, she served as a intern for U. S. Congressman Mickey Leland.

Career

Following her graduation, Mattern pursued studies in law and in 1995 began her career as a paralegal at the law firm of Gardere, Wynne Sewell LLP. She left the firm in 1998 to join Waste Management, Inc. (formerly USA Waste Services, Inc.) where she briefly worked in the law department before joining the company’s recyling division where she served as head of marketing and communications. She was principally responsible for the branding efforts of the company’s Recycle America brand. She left Waste Management in 2003 and became a consultant for various companies in the waste industry. In 2005, Mattern joined Kraton Polymers (former Shell subsidiary) to head their Investor Relations and Public Relations departments.

Philanthropy

Shari L. Mattern is a member of the Junior League of Houston. She served in various capacities retiring for the league as Chair of the league’s CPR Education. She has also served as chair and board member of charities such as The March of Dimes, Houston Ballet and American Heart Association.