In Chapter 1 of 18 in his 2012 Capture Your Flag interview, public affairs and communications strategist Matt Curtis answers "How Did You Research Your Family Roots and Plan a Family History Trip?" Curtis shares his process of reconnecting with distant relatives in the village of Attymass in County Mayo, Ireland. He initiates the conversation by writing a letter and what happens next is history. Matt Curtis is the director of government relations at HomeAway Inc. Previously he was communications director for Austin mayors Lee Leffingwell and Will Wynn. In 2011, Curtis won "Austinite of the Year" in the Austin Under 40 Awards. He earned his bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas.