Matthew Rubin founded Crane Development in 2014 with the goal of accelerating the revitalization of his neighborhood by adding value to distressed commercial properties. The company has since redeveloped five properties, mobilizing and directing nearly $3 million of investment and attracting new businesses and residents into the downtown core. Rubin was awarded an Emerging Professionals Scholarship from the statewide historic preservation group, Heritage Ohio, for the company’s first project at 614 Adams Street. The once-vacant historic building now houses one of downtown Toledo’s cultural landmarks, the Fowl & Fodder restaurant.

Rubin attended The University of Toledo (UToledo) and played football for the Rockets. He received a BA in political science and an MBA focusing on leadership and organizational improvement. While at UToledo, Rubin spent two summers with the National Youth Sports Program (NYSP) as a day-camp counselor for disadvantaged Toledo youth. Rubin led the BIG EVENT, a campus-wide community service effort and was elected student body president for two terms, helping establish the campus Bike-share program and securing additional resources for student organizations.

Rubin’s involvement with community and trade organizations includes serving on the Downtown Toledo Improvement District (DTID) board, City of Toledo Housing Strategy 10-Year Action Plan advisory committee, his neighborhood board of trustees, and as a member of the Urban Land Institute.