Matt Meyer

Matthew S. Meyer is an attorney, entrepreneur, former diplomat, and educator who is currently serving his second term as New Castle County Executive. He was elected New Castle County Executive in 2016 and again in 2020. Meyer speaks fluent Swahili and conversational Spanish. He has also studied Hebrew, Arabic, French and Wolof.

Matt Meyer
New Castle County Executive
Assumed office
January 3, 2017
Preceded byTom Gordon
Personal details
BornBay City, Michigan, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materBrown University and University of Michigan School of Law

Early life and education

Meyer was born in Bay City, Michigan, and grew up in Wilmington, Delaware. He graduated from Wilmington Friends School, Brown University (cum laude in political science and computer science), and the University of Michigan Law School (member, Michigan Law Review).[1]

Meyer worked on then-U.S. Senator Joe Biden’s first presidential campaign in 1988 while in high school at the Wilmington Friends School.[2] He then worked on the upstart, successful, 1990 gubernatorial campaign of Bruce Sundlun while attending Brown University.

Career

Meyer joined Teach for America, and taught public school in Washington, D.C. for three years.[3] He also taught at Prestige Academy in Wilmington. He won a Skadden Fellowship upon graduation from law school and used it to work for Community Legal Aid in Wilmington. He then became an attorney working in mergers and acquisitions with Simpson Thatcher and Bartlett. He served in Iraq as a diplomat for the U.S. State Department, as a senior economic adviser on the ground in Mosul, Iraq, working with military and economic aid leaders to assist the Iraqi people. Meyer learned more about Americans and military leadership style after living on a base for about a year with 10,000 soldiers. Later, he worked as an economic advisor to Delaware Governor Jack Markell and was a partner at Potomac Law Group.[4] He has started two businesses, Ecosandals and VituMob, both in Kenya. He appeared on CNN to discuss Ecosandals and on using technology to create jobs in poor neighborhoods.[5] In 2003 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, Meyer was awarded the Sam Beard Jefferson Award for the Greatest Public Service by an Individual 35 Years and Under; at that same ceremony Condoleezza Rice received a Jefferson Award.[6] Al Gore's Current TV called him an "all around super human."[7]

New Castle County Executive

2016 election

In the Democratic primary for New Castle County Executive, Meyer's campaign focused on integrity and economic policy.[8] On September 13, Meyer upset three-term incumbent Tom Gordon by a margin of 4.66% in the primary, winning 21,487 votes (52.33%) to Gordon's 19,678 votes (47.67%).[9] Meyer defeated Republican Mark Blake in the general election in November with 67% of the vote. He took office on January 3, 2017.

2020 election

On September 15, Meyer clinched the Democratic nomination again for County Executive, defeating challenger Maggie Jones in the Democratic primary. Meyer clinched a key endorsement video days before the election from Hollywood star and Delaware native, Aubrey Plaza. Meyer won 43,833 votes (56.51%), while Jones received 33,735 votes (43.49%).[10]

Appointments

Meyer selected the first African-American police chief and chief administrative officer in the 106-year history of the New Castle County Police Department.[11][12]

Environmentalism

New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer and Delaware Wild Lands’ Executive Director Kate Hackettsigned a first-of-its-kind partnership agreement on June 30, 2021 to preserve over 220 acres of land in southern New Castle County, named Fortner Farm. Resolution 20-060 was co-sponsored by County Councilmembers Bell, Kilpatrick, and Sheldon in March 2020, which urged the County administration to investigate acquiring the property, initiating the process that resulted in this partnership.

Jack Markell Trail Meyer helped open the Jack A. Markell Trail (JAM) which connects New Castle to Wilmington by a mixed-use trail.[13]

COVID-19 response

A joint report by National Association of Counties and National Academy of Public Administration on the use of federal CARES Act funds recognized New Castle County for using “innovative strategies in deploying Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars, with special attention to programs focusing on inclusive economic recovery and on assisting vulnerable and underserved populations.” [14]

Meyer collects a sample from a COVID-19 test user

In a July 2020 editorial for The News Journal, Meyer advocated for sending all teachers and students back to school in the fall during the coronavirus pandemic.[15]

Using CARES funds the county began paying Delawareans in the HealthCorps to "provide translation services at vaccination sites, assist with social media campaigns, participate in community outreach efforts, [and] conduct research", among other activities.[16]

In October 2020, New Castle County purchased the former Sheraton South Hotel at auction with a winning bid of $19.5 million, also using CARES funds.[17] The hotel can house more than 350 residents. The facility officially opened its doors in December 2020.[18]

Meyer also directed the county to invest $5,500,000 in Delaware State University's new genomics testing laboratory, which opened on January 29, 2021.[19]

Potential 2024 gubernatorial run

Meyer, as a second-term County Executive, is limited to serving two consecutive terms in office. He is widely considered a front-runner for the Democratic Party's nomination for Governor of Delaware in 2024.[20]

Controversies

In June 2020, six current and former New Castle County employees filed a federal lawsuit against Meyer and other New Castle County officials alleging serial sexual harassment and assault by former New Castle County Police lieutenant colonel Quinton Watson. These accusations were made prior to Meyer being County Executive. The lawsuit calls New Castle County government a “sanctuary” for sexual harassers.[21][22]

In July 2020, Meyer faced allegations he made "belligerent" calls to two mayors who were supporting his opponent, Maggie Jones, in the 2020 Democratic primary for New Castle County Executive. Both Elsmere mayor Eric Scott Thompson and Newark mayor Jerry Clifton said Meyer's phone conversations with them were heated, and they felt the county executive made threats toward their communities by telling them that he "will remember this." Meyer refused to specifically address the accusations.[23]

Awards

On November 11, Delaware Chapter of the American Planning Association awarded County Executive Meyer their 2021 Distinguished Leadership Award for his work on water quality protection, limiting rural sprawl, and better planning for how communities sustainably grow.

On Saturday, October 23, 2021 County Executive Meyer was recognized by Premiere Charities in "appreciation for his dedication to serving the homeless in our community."

In Spring of 2019, Meyer was awarded the Military Order of the Purple Heart Special Recognition Award for 'dedication and support honoring America's combat wounded veterans becoming the 'Purple Heart County.' The award was presented by The Patriot Members of The Department of Delaware Military Order of the Purple Heart, USA.

In 2018, Meyer was presented a Delaware Hispanic Award for 'increasing access and opportunities for the local Latino community.'

In 2018, Meyer was recognized by the AIA for the 2018 AIA Delaware Design Award in recognition for design excellence for the Route 9 Library and Innovation Center, and recognizing the design team of Tetra Tech.

On April 24, 2019, Meyer was presented a Public Service Commendation Medal for 'exceptional service contributing to the defense of the United States while serving as New Castle County Executive and supporting the mission of the Aberdeen Proving Grounds.'

On March 10, 2020, Meyer was presented with the 2019 Legislative Award by Carol Dougherty, President, Delaware Recreation and Parks Society in recognition of his support for parks and recreation in New Castle County.

September 2020, Meyer was honored by Nuestras Raices Delaware for continued support and contributions to the Hispanic community.

On May 6, 2001, the Delaware Library Association awarded Meyer its Distinguished Service Citation, with Delaware State Librarian Annie Norman saying, “The selection of County Executive Matt Meyer as the recipient of the Delaware Library Association’s highest honor is a great choice. County Executive Meyer is an effective collaborator and appreciates libraries’ leadership role in the social infrastructure for the benefit of Delawareans.”

References
  1. http://michiganlawreview.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Vol.-100-Masthead.pdf
  2. "In the C-Suite: Matt Meyer, New Castle County Executive - DBT". Delaware Business Times. 2020-12-07. Retrieved 2021-08-16.
  3. Owens, Jake. "C-Suite with Matt Meyer". delawarebusinesstimes.com.
  4. "Matthew Meyer - Potomac Law Group". Archived from the original on 2016-09-17. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
  5. "Kenyan Company Launches a Line of Environment-Friendly Footwear - Transcript". CNN. August 26, 2001. Retrieved August 3, 2017.
  6. "Jefferson Awards Foundation Past Winners". Archived from the original on 2017-06-23. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
  7. "Eco Sandals: Current TV | TeamJaded". teamjaded.com. Retrieved 2016-08-08.
  8. "Meyer for New Castle County". YouTube. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
  9. "State of Delaware - Department of Elections · Office of the State Election Commissioner". elections.delaware.gov. Retrieved 2016-09-14.
  10. "2020 State Primary Election Report". Archived from the original on 2020-09-18. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
  11. "Bond named NCCo's first black police chief". delawareonline. Retrieved 2017-06-28.
  12. Staff Writer (2017-03-21). "Vaughn Bond Named As First Black Chief of Police For New Castle County". First State Update. Retrieved 2020-08-13.
  13. "East Coast Greenway - Trailfest celebrates 'totally cool' new connection to Delaware River Watershed". www.greenway.org. Retrieved 2021-08-16.
  14. "Coronavirus Relief Fund: Review of Federal Fiscal Assistance and of Innovative County Response Strategies". NACO.org. NACO.org. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
  15. Hockstein, Neil; Meyer, Matt (2020-07-11). "Test every K-12 student: Delaware's schools must reopen". The News Journal. Archived from the original on 2020-08-13. Retrieved 2020-08-13.
  16. "New Health Corps targets disparities in Delaware". WHYY. Retrieved 2021-08-16.
  17. Owens, Jacob. "New Castle County wins Sheraton South auction for $19.5M". Delaware Business Times. Today Media. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  18. Cherry, Amy. "New Castle County hotel-turned-homeless shelter opens just in time for winter storm". wdel.com. Forever Media.
  19. "New Castle County, DE".
  20. "Why wait to speculate on Carney's eventual successor?". Delaware Business Times. January 22, 2020. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  21. Schmidt, Sophia (2020-06-18). "New Castle County government focus of federal sexual harassment lawsuit". www.delawarepublic.org. Retrieved 2020-08-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. Cherry, Amy (2020-06-22). "'A safe harbor' for a 'serial sexual predator' | Current, former NCCPD officers file lawsuit against ex-second-in-command". WDEL 101.7FM. Retrieved 2020-08-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. Parra, Esteban (2020-07-24). "Was Matt Meyer 'belligerent' to those supporting his opponent?". Delaware Online. Retrieved 2020-07-26.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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