Matt currently serves as Mayor of Wappingers Falls, a Dutchess County municipality that has seen a dramatic revival under his leadership, including an astonishing 17% growth rate during this difficult economy.
Upon assuming office, Matt inherited long-standing problems made worse by political gridlock and elected officials’ neglect. Drawing on his experience as an entrepreneur, small business owner, and financial planner, Matt set out a bold plan to rebuild Wappingers Falls. He fought to forge bipartisan agreement, and advocated for the political and financial support needed to make it a reality.
Today, Wappingers Falls is one of the fastest-growing and fiscally-sound communities in the 18th Congressional District. Crime is down, public services are strong, and infrastructure and water systems have been upgraded after years of decline. All the while, Matt held the line on property taxes.
Matt’s successes as Mayor of Wappingers Falls won him the recognition of many civic groups, including water and land preservation organizations. His ability to unite people behind his vision twice earned him the endorsements of both the Democratic and Republican parties in his bids for re-election.
Prior to entering public service, Matt worked his way through college, graduating from The University of Notre Dame with a degree in business, then training to be a CPA. Matt worked with a major accounting firm in Manhattan before taking on the task of helping struggling companies turn around their fortunes.
At one of these companies, Matt found financing for a $20 million expansion of a start-up Recycle Paper Mill and later prepared the company for public stock offering. Under Matt’s leadership, this project went on to create many new jobs. After several similar projects, Matt started a small business on Main Street in Wappingers Falls that he operated for nearly 8 years before becoming Mayor.
Over the course of his time in business, Matt wasn’t able to save every troubled company he set out to help, but he learned critical lessons on what it takes to get businesses healthy and hiring. He later put this experience to use in helping Wappingers Falls recapture its future, and it’s what he intendeds to bring to a gridlocked Congress that continues to fail to address America’s urgent crisis of job creation.
Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Matt grew up in Orange County, NY and graduated from Cornwall High School. Matt earned the rank of Eagle Scout at West Point in 1985, and also attended Marion Military Institute.
"Under my leadership as Mayor of Wappingers Falls we've seen positive changes over the years, I want to continue my hard work for the entire 18th district."
—Matt Alexander
Matt Alexander for Congress
2686 West Main Street
Wappingers Falls NY 12590
info@friendsofmattalexander.com
Photographs by Dmitri Kasterine