Key Facts
Background
Matt Orlando has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Rutgers University and a master’s degree in business administration from Golden Gate University [1]. Orlando has held multiple professional positions, spending much of his work life in leadership positions at the technology company Honeywell. He spent a total of 22 years there, ending his most recent position as Director of Technical Sales in 2018.
Orlando worked in multiple management positions for aerospace company General Dynamics from 1999 to 2008. However, the majority of his professional experience was serving in the U.S. Air Force and Arizona National Guard for nearly 30 years, retiring as Colonel [3]. Orlando was first elected to the Chandler City Council in 1990, serving until 1998. He was elected again in 2004 and served 13 years due to tenure, his term ending in 2018. Orlando was then elected to an at-large seat on the city council in 2018 and started his current term in 2019 [2].
Key Issues
Public Safety
Orlando prioritizes building an adequate amount of local police stations and fire departments to increase accessibility and keep neighborhoods safe [1].
Infrastructure
Orlando wants to help strengthen neighborhoods by promoting cleanup/beautification initiatives within the communities. He would like to expand on the creation of new city amenities such as pools, parks, and recreation centers that the city council worked on during his last term. He supports the sharing of school and city resources, which he believes will strengthen libraries and other facilities. He prioritizes responsibly investing in local parks to help improve them and fulfill the growing demand. He would also like to work on a long-term plan for a multi-use sports complex for Chandler [1].
Economy
Orlando wants to support local businesses and create quality jobs to help grow and strengthen the Chandler economy [1].
Housing
Orlando wants to prioritize affordable housing and rent in Chandler neighborhoods to combat an increase in homelessness. He would like to incentivize developers to set aside affordable and workforce housing units [4].
Civil Rights
Orlando supports passing a Non-Discrimination Ordinance (NDO) to protect the diverse communities that reside in Chandler.
Endorsements
- Individuals
- Jim Patterson, former Mayor
- Trinity Donavan, former Vice Mayor
- Phill Westbrooks, former Vice Mayor
- Patti Bruno, former Councilmember
- Rick Huemann, former Councilmember
- Martin Sepulveda, former Councilmember
- Donna Wallace, former Councilmember
- Annette Auxier, Former School Board Member
- Lon and Trish Miller, former School Board members
- Organizations
- United Phoenix Firefighters Association
- Arizona Police Association
- Arizona Conference of Police and Sheriffs