Elizabeth Matlaga, who began her career nearly four decades ago as a young single parent, now leads A+ Group as chief executive officer while also overseeing financial responsibilities for the company. Her trajectory from controller to CEO underscores a local success story rooted in New Jersey experience and a commitment to workplace mentorship and balance.
From early financial roles to the C-suite
Matlaga built her foundation with a college degree in economics and early roles in chief financial officer offices of small- and medium-sized, privately held companies in New Jersey. Those positions, she says, sharpened the financial and strategic skills that would carry her through a long career in manufacturing finance and management.
About 17 years ago, Matlaga joined A+ Products, an umbrella of companies that today operates across North America and internationally. She moved through several senior roles — from controller to vice president of finance and general manager — before becoming chief executive. For the past 12 years she has carried both CEO and CFO duties, directing day-to-day operations while guiding financial strategy.
- Local roots: Matlaga’s early career took place in New Jersey, where she balanced work and raising a family.
- Company footprint: A+ Group maintains locations in Montreal, Shanghai and Juarez, along with a broad U.S. presence.
- Business focus: The group supplies components, ingredients and services to manufacturing firms worldwide.
Leadership priorities and workplace culture
Matlaga emphasizes people development and tries to create conditions where employees can pursue what energizes them. Her experience juggling professional advancement with parenting shaped a leadership perspective that values flexibility and trust.
"You shouldn’t have to choose"
The phrase reflects a central theme in Matlaga’s career: the belief that employers can and should enable workers to balance family and career responsibilities. She credits early employers who trusted her competence and allowed her to grow professionally without sacrificing her role as a mother.
Company scope and implications for Elizabeth-area stakeholders
A+ Group’s global footprint — with operations in Canada, China and Mexico and a robust U.S. presence — positions Matlaga at the helm of a company that both sources and supplies components for manufacturing. That has several implications for Elizabeth-area leaders and workers:
| Aspect | Local impact |
|---|---|
| Employment and career paths | Potential for skilled jobs and finance/operations roles tied to regional supply chains |
| Workforce development | Leadership emphasis on mentorship supports talent retention and training priorities |
| Economic ties | Global sourcing and customers may affect regional suppliers and manufacturers |
Matlaga’s dual role overseeing both executive strategy and financial stewardship is notable in an era when many firms separate those responsibilities. It suggests a hands-on approach to navigating market challenges while maintaining fiscal discipline.
What this means for local businesses and residents
For Elizabeth residents and business leaders, Matlaga’s story is a reminder of the pathways from New Jersey financial roles to senior leadership in firms that operate internationally. Her emphasis on creating workplaces that allow employees to pursue both family and career offers a model for local employers seeking to attract and retain talent, particularly among women and working parents.
As regional manufacturing and supply-chain networks continue to evolve, executives with experience in both finance and operations — such as Matlaga — play a pivotal role in shaping employer practices and economic ties that affect the local workforce.
Her recognition in ROI-NJ’s Women of Inspiration series highlights a career built on steady advancement, strategic problem-solving and a focus on people — elements that resonate for Elizabeth’s business community as it plans for future growth and workforce development.
