Matthew has been a resident of Albany County for 15 years, coming to Albany from Long Island with a presidential scholarship to attend the University of Albany. He graduated with his bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 2006 and a master’s degree in International Relations and Comparative Politics in 2007. He also received the Arthur J. Sist Fellowship through the SUNY Center for International Development and worked on a USAID sponsored project in Aman, Jordan in the summer of 2007.
After graduating, Matthew worked in the Executive Chamber as an appointments aide, the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance as a tax policy analyst and spent three and half years working for the Democratic Senate Finance Committee as a Fiscal Budget Analyst specializing in taxes and economic development policy.
Matthew left the Senate to run then Treasurer Kathy Sheehan’s mayoral campaign, later becoming the Mayor’s Chief of Staff for over two years. As Chief of Staff, Matthew served as the Mayor’s senior advisor on all economic, policy, and personnel decisions, coordinated all intergovernmental relations across city, county, state, and federal officials and agencies and led interdepartmental capital, grants, and policy initiatives.
In March of 2016, Matthew left the Mayor’s office to become the Executive Director of the Albany Parking Authority. As Executive Director, Matthew modernized the Authority which included the launching of the ParkAlbany app and the replacement of aging enforcement technology. In addition, he helped launch the Capital Walls initiative with community stakeholders which placed murals on underutilized walls and parts of garages. Under Matthew’s leadership the Albany Parking Authority has seen its bond rating increase from BBB+ to A-.
Matthew currently serves as a board member for Capitalize Albany, The Albany County Visitors Bureau and Park Playhouse. Matthew has been a dedicated member of the Democratic Party serving as Albany County Young Democrats President, Capital Region President and NYS Vice President. He has been an Albany County Democratic Committee member for nearly 10 years and currently serves as the Ward Leader for the 6th Ward.
2018: Albany Business Review 40 Under 40
2007: Harvard University Kennedy School Executive Education Certificate for State and Local Executives
2015: Rockefeller College Young Alumnus of the Year
2009: City and State 40 Under 40