Matt Haag is a Senior Director at the University of Rochester, the city’s largest employer, in the school’s development and alumni relations area. He was recruited to the University in late 2006 by Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer Jim Thompson to be part of his senior leadership team. Matt co-leads the group responsible for the University’s major capital campaigns. Previously, Matt worked at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, in a similar capacity.

Bill Schaefer, Matt Haag, and Brodie

Matt’s work takes him into the upper levels of the U/R alumni and the business communities, and he interacts directly with many areas of the University at senior levels. He is thus in constant contact with those areas of the University that are on the cutting edge of research and technology development, where the track record and the potential for generating new business and revenue streams is the greatest.

Matt’s longstanding interest in 21st century technology opportunities and business development follows from his experience in Baltimore and at Johns Hopkins University. During his years there, Matt worked in the community at a leadership level to advance one of the most successful urban rejuvenations in the country. If you have been to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor in recent years, you almost certainly have spent some time in the historic Fells Point neighborhood, where you saw first hand the fruits of Matt’s tireless work as President of Fells Prospect Community Association.

Matt’s drive to contribute to the Rochester community traces back to his roots as a 10-year old boy in Pennsylvania. His first taste of politics and government came in the context of a bond issue to protect family farms from development that threatened to turn them into housing tracts. Matt got very involved, the campaign was successful, land was preserved for future generations, and the idea became belief: that energy and commitment matter, that it is possible to make a difference, right here, today.

Matt Haag will bring to the Rochester City Council something beyond his substantial experience and accomplishment in the field of higher education development:  knowledge, energy, and commitment to the work of developing a vibrant, livable, and sustainable city for our new century.