Alumni Profiles

Matthew Gallagher '97 Deputy Chief of Staff, Maryland Governor Martin J. O’Malley Annapolis, MD

As Deputy Chief of Staff, Matt’s responsibilities include oversight of economic, housing, and community development as well as transportation, public safety, and environmental matters.  All told, this portfolio of issue and agency responsibilities represents over $8 billion of the State government’s annual operating budget and more than 30,000 members of its workforce. 

Prior to his position in Maryland State government, Matt served as Director of CitiStat, Baltimore’s nationally recognized public sector accountability program that in 2004 received the prestigious Innovations in American Government award from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and the Council for Excellence in Government. Aside from CitiStat responsibilities, Matt served as a member of Mayor O’Malley’s cabinet, senior staff, security council, and management negotiating and budget planning committees. In 2004, Matt was also named as one of three Mayoral appointees to the Baltimore City Public School System’s Financial Operating Committee, a group that developed and monitored the implementation of a two-year financial recovery plan that eliminated the $58 million cumulative deficit of Baltimore’s public school system. 

Before joining Baltimore City government, Matt served as Project Director for the Greater Baltimore Committee’s and Presidents’ Roundtable private sector assessment Managing for Success, an effort that led to the development of over 250 actionable recommendations for the improvement of Baltimore’s municipal government. From 1995 – 1999, he served in Philadelphia Mayor Edward G. Rendell’s administration, including as an Assistant Deputy Mayor. Prior to his government service in Philadelphia, Matt worked in educational programs for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. 

Matt holds a BA in Economics from La Salle University, an MGA from the University of Pennsylvania, and currently teaches public administration at the University of Baltimore. Of his decision to attend Fels, Matt says: "I viewed it as a great launching pad for a career in public sector management. Between the abundance of internship opportunities and the incredible alumni network, I knew that a Fels education would well position me for anything I ever wanted to do in the future. I still marvel at the access Fels afforded students to elected and appointed officials from every level of government. When paired with the small class sizes and the setting within the Fels mansion, it made for an incredible environment for candid discussions and debates about the rewards and challenges of working in the public sector."