Matt joined the Republic City Council in April 2018 when he was appointed to fill the then-vacant Ward III council seat. In April 2019, he was elected by the voters to continue in his Ward III position. Fellow council members also elected him as Mayor Pro-Tem. In July of 2020, following the resignation of Mayor Jeff Ussery, Matt became acting mayor.
Born and raised in Mt. Vernon, Missouri, Matt is an alumni of Mt. Vernon High School. He then completed a Political Science Degree at Missouri State University. Finally, Matt completed his education at Creighton Law School in Omaha, Nebraska. Matt took a job immediately after Law School with the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office in 2003 where he prosecuted numerous types of crimes ranging from Child Support and Speeding charges to Murder and Robbery cases. After spending nine years in that role, he created MRD Lawyers in 2012 and has managed that growing firm since leaving the Prosecutor’s Office.
Matt has been married to his wife, Krystal, for nearly 20 years. Krystal owns and operates her own accounting and payroll firm, Spectrum Accounting and Payroll in Springfield. They have two boys, Alex and Nick, who go to school here in Republic and play every sport imaginable. Matt spends his spare time coaching his boy’s teams, reading, and playing golf. While Matt has not been a resident of Republic for long, he would like to give back to his community through his experience working for a public entity, his entrepreneurial experience, and his legal background.
Appointment Date: April 20, 2021
Expiration Date: June 16, 2024*
*Although this term expires on June 16, 2024 (due to COVID election days), the newly elected Mayor and City Council members will take office on April 16, 2024 following the regular municipal election timeline.