| About Matt |
|
During the years before my family moved to Mesa, I lived in
Michigan, where I was born; Kentucky, and Oregon. We also lived
in Brussels, Belgium and Sao Paulo, Brazil. During this time
we would often come to Mesa to visit grandparents and family.
I remember walking down main street from grandma & grandpa
Naylor’s house on Pepper Street to the Old Tri-City Mall.
I also recall visiting grandpa’s office on Main street
where the Art Center now stands. |
| In 1976 the family moved to Mesa from Brazil. I attended a
number of schools which included Mesa Junior High, Taylor Junior
High and a brief stint at Kino Junior High while Taylor was
being built. I graduated from Mesa High School, were I sang
in two choirs directed by Harry Garrett. |
| In 1983 I graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor
of Arts degree. While attending college I worked fulltime to
pay my way. I did this so as not to be a financial burden on
my family and to get out of school with the least bit of debt
possible. |
| Shortly after graduating from ASU, I met my wonderful wife
Brenda and we were married shortly thereafter. We have three
lovely children, Mady, 12; Brendan, 9; and Macy, 3 (the boss).
We live only blocks from Mesa General Hospital and are the second
owners of our home. With kids growing up Mesa, I have a vested
interest in seeing that Mesa is financially stable, that the
infrastructure is maintained and repaired, that essential emergency
services are provided and that economic development gets better.
I don’t want to leave Mesa’s current problems for
my kids to solve. |
| During my years growing up in Mesa I delivered the newspaper
on bicycle (back when the Tribune was delivered in the
afternoon). I have worked construction, taught
domestic violence counseling & twelve-step counseling
in Spanish. I have also acted as a rights of way consultant,
and currently my wife and I are owners of several small
businesses. As a business owner I know what it's like
to have to set up a budget, meet payroll, jump through
government regulations and still be profitable. It isn't
easy. |
| While in high school I volunteered on the Mayor’s Youth
Council. I have worked as a Boy Scout Leader; a missionary for
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, where I learned
to speak Spanish fluently; and as Vice Chairman of Legislative
District 18. I am currently serving as the chairman of Legislative
District 18 & as 2nd Vice Chairman of the State Republican
party. While serving in these different capacities I’ve
learned that it’s not about what people can do for me
but what I can do for others to help them achieve their goals
and desires. |
