Matt McPhillips (D)
Matthew V. McPhillips has been a Sullivan County resident his entire life, and since choosing to return to the County after college with his wife Vanessa, they have both dedicated themselves to improving Sullivan County and shaping it into a place where everyone can successfully live and raise a family.
Matt’s family has a long history in Sullivan County, and his life has been shaped by his experience here. His father Vince worked for over 40 years in NYSEG’s Liberty office and has served as a Town of Liberty Councilman since 2016. His mother Joanne was born and raised in Sullivan County on a dairy farm in Parksville and worked for The Gerry Foundation for over 40 years. The experiences that Matt had growing up on that very farm, and learning from the examples set by his family, have shaped his experience, as well as given him a deep understanding of the needs and challenges in the community.
“I worked for nearly 10 years at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, starting as a custodial worker and ending as an employee in the operations department working to coordinate logistics and events,” Matt says. “I know what it is like to start at the bottom and work to succeed, as do many Sullivan County residents.”
Matt graduated from Liberty High School in 2013 and went on to Syracuse University, where he majored in Political Science and International Relations at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. This furthered his interest in politics and helped shape his understanding of the way government should work. When he graduated in May 2017, he began working for Congressman John Faso as a district representative, representing him in Sullivan County and throughout a large swath of central New York.
“In January 2019 I was lucky enough to be hired by Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther to work as a legislative aide. This was truly a fantastic experience, and working on the ground with Aileen on issues like healthcare, substance abuse, food insecurity and housing gave me an on the ground feel for the true needs of the community,” he recalls. “My time in these positions showed me what it takes to be a legislator that truly cares for their community, and I strive to bring that energy, compassion and drive to the Sullivan County Legislature.”
Throughout his time in Sullivan County, whether working for the House of Representatives or for Assemblywoman Gunther, Matt’s focus has always been on helping the people of Sullivan County address issues. With his strong community ties, his experience in legislation, and his desire to help move Sullivan County forward, he looks forward to continuing to work to make Sullivan County a better place for all to live, work and raise a family.
