As Chief of Staff, Matthew manages the office team, ensuring that we are focused on our highest priorities — from increasing public safety to reducing homelessness and ensuring fiscal responsibility — and achieving results for our constituents in these critical areas.
Growing up, Matthew’s home backed onto the big open field that we now know as Martial Cottle Park in the northern part of District 10. He attended local public schools, including Hacienda, Castillero, and Pioneer High School. He was a self-described “band kid,” playing jazz trumpet and the baritone horn.
For the past 4-years, Matthew has worked at the Silicon Valley Leadership Group. As a Director, his focus was on transportation and housing policy along with engagement with the neighborhoods and communities that make up Silicon Valley. Through SVLG, Matthew was instrumental in helping secure billions of dollars for transportation and housing throughout the Bay Area. In this role, he also helped manage the CEO Airport Task Force, commuter shuttle bus policy, the Neighborhoods Leaders Council (NLC), housing project advocacy and built strong relationships with leaders in the public and private sectors. Matthew also has experience in the nonprofit sector through his work at Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley and has helped lead over 24 different local campaigns.
Matthew is especially passionate about neighborhood engagement. When he moved downtown after college, Matthew became President of the San José Downtown Residents Association. He currently volunteers as the VEP Community Association President, serving the neighborhood in which he grew up.
Matthew, his wife A’Dreana (who he met at his first job at Century 21 at Oakridge Mall), their son James, and new puppy Rollo recently moved back to downtown San Jose near the Japantown neighborhood. Finally, Matthew is famous locally for always wearing a scarf, even through our hot San José summers!