Utah Tech University Alumnus Is Blazing His Own Trail in the Local Tech Industry

By Grayce Payne

People often learn more about themselves during the journey to their destination than they actually do when they arrive at their final stop. For Utah Tech University alumnus Matt Pelo, his journey from student to manager at Zonos, a local tech company, taught him the importance of resilience and drive.

Pelo’s time at Utah Tech began after he returned home from a mission in New Zealand and was looking for a change. He had outgrown his previous experiences playing basketball at Snow College and wanted a new start. After meeting with coaches from the Utah Tech men’s basketball team, Pelo transferred to the University and played on the team for the 2015-2016 season.

Homeschooled until college, Pelo felt nervous about coming to Utah Tech. Motivated rather than frightened by his worries, he challenged himself to be open to unfamiliar academic and professional opportunities. One professional opportunity Pelo took advantage of was becoming an innovation ambassador. His responsibilities as an ambassador helped launch his career in the technical field as he was able to consult and meet with local businesses and leaders in the industry.

While earning his degree, the chance to start a business emerged in his macroeconomics class. Throughout that class, Pelo drafted his business plan, developed a product offering, and received mentorship and direction from his professors. He appreciated the handson learning experiences he received at Utah Tech, which he could apply in the real world to his business. “I could probably list every professor I’ve had as some form of guide and mentor,” Pelo said. “Whether it was in writing, business ethics, entrepreneurship, or marketing, they all played a part in developing my entrepreneurship skills.”

Between study sessions, Pelo started and built Kenect, a company that allows customers to connect with businesses and submit reviews of a service through text messages. As Kenect grew, Pelo temporarily stepped away from his studies to run the thriving business. He brought Kenect to scale, and a short time later, it was acquired. Recently, Kenect was acquired again for $100 million.

After selling his company, Pelo returned to the University to finish his degree. He worked for a handful of tech companies in the area and continued to grow his network after college. Pelo was previously offered a position at Zonos, but passed up the opportunity for a better offer with another company. After some time had passed and Zonos offered him a new position as a product manager, he felt prepared to take on the role. “The best part of being a product manager is that I can be an entrepreneur without the risk of being an entrepreneur,” Pelo said. “My job here at Zonos is to deliver the best things for the company and the customer.”

Years after graduating from Utah Tech, Pelo remains grateful for the support, connections, and opportunities he received from professors, coaches, and faculty that enabled him to be where he is today.

About the Author

Grayce Payne

Grayce Payne is a full-time student at Utah Tech University. She moved from a snowy town in Michigan to sunny St. George, Utah, to pursue a bachelor’s degree in media studies and public relations. She enjoys the endless hiking trails and warm weather southern Utah has to offer.

For more information about Utah Tech University, please visit utahtech.edu.