Mayor Jay Gillian announced that he has appointed Matt von der Hayden as Ocean City’s next business administrator. His appointment was approved by City Council on Thursday, Oct. 22.

Von der Hayden will succeed George Savastano, 66, who will retire from this Ocean City position after a distinguished career in engineering and public administration. Savastano was appointed as Ocean City’s business administrator in 2018 under a shared services agreement with Sea Isle City.

Von der Hayden, 47, was highly regarded as the capital planning manager in Ocean City, before moving on to serve as deputy township administrator in Egg Harbor Township, then to work as township administrator in Stafford Township for seven years. He has previous experience as a project manager for the Atlantic County Utilities Authority (ACUA).

“Please join me in congratulating Matt on his appointment,” Gillian said. “We look forward to building on the legacy of George Savastano together with the city team, City Council and all of our residents and taxpayers.”

With more than 20 years of experience in the public sector, 15 of which have been related to project management, grants and municipal management of towns, von der Hayden has demonstrated the ability to work with federal, state and local organizations to complete complex projects. He has helped obtain more than $55 million in grants and other funding for resiliency projects, walking and biking transportation projects, lagoon remediation, a new library, historical restoration projects, and overall municipal roadway, stormwater and water and sewer infrastructure projects.

Von der Hayden holds a BS degree in biological sciences from Rowan University, an MBA from Rutgers University and a Master of Public Administration from Villanova University. He is in the process of finishing his PhD in public administration at Old Dominion University.

His professional designations and certifications include:

• One of five current municipal managers who holds the International City/County Management Association Credentialed Manager designation (ICMA – CM), indicating adherence to high standards of integrity, and an assessed commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
• Society of Human Resource Management–Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP)
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• Certified Floodplain Manager
• Public Sector Labor Relations Certificate from Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations, Land Use
• Law and Planning Certificate from the State of New Jersey, Department of Community Affairs
• FEMA Certification
• Water and Wastewater Leadership Certificate from the University of North Carolina
• School Business Administrator Certificate from the State of New Jersey
• Certified Emergency Manager (CEM)

Von der Hayden also serves as a part-time adjunct faculty member for Villanova’s Masters of Public Administration program, teaching an “Effective City Management” course. His passion and commitment to his profession are further exemplified by his being named 2022 Outstanding Manager of the Year and a Career Development Award in 2021 by the NJ Municipal Management Association.

Von der Hayden lives in the Petersburg section of Upper Township with his wife, Melissa, and three children, Luke, Madison, and Isabella.

City Council approved a $250,000 annual salary for von der Hayden. He will begin serving in his new role on Nov. 23, 2026.