Ocean City Names New Business Administrator at $250,000 Annual Salary

Matthew von der Hayden will return to Ocean City government in November, replacing longtime administrator George Savastano.

OCEAN CITY, N.J. — Ocean City has selected a new business administrator to oversee municipal operations, approving a $250,000 annual salary for an experienced government official who previously worked for the city.

Mayor Jay Gillian announced the appointment of Matthew von der Hayden, 47, following City Council's approval Thursday, October 22.

Von der Hayden will begin his new position November 23, replacing George Savastano, 66, who is retiring from his Ocean City position after serving as business administrator since 2018.

The appointment brings von der Hayden back to a community where he previously served as capital planning manager from 2014 to 2017.

“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.”

Von der Hayden was selected following an extensive search that attracted 31 candidates.

His $250,000 annual salary places him at the top of the $200,000 to $250,000 salary range advertised for the position.

The business administrator serves as Ocean City's top full-time municipal official, helping oversee daily government operations, personnel, budgeting and major infrastructure initiatives.

The position carries considerable responsibility in a resort community that must manage substantial seasonal population increases while maintaining municipal services for year-round residents.

Ocean City's advertised position description identified an annual operating budget of approximately $125.4 million and a five-year capital improvement program totaling $74 million.

The city maintains more than 120 miles of roads and alleys, an extensive stormwater drainage system, public safety facilities, beaches, the Boardwalk and numerous recreational properties.

Von der Hayden brings more than 20 years of public-sector experience, including extensive work in municipal management, infrastructure planning and securing government funding.

After leaving Ocean City in 2017, he became deputy township administrator in Egg Harbor Township before serving seven years as township administrator in Stafford Township in Ocean County.

He also previously worked as a project manager for the Atlantic County Utilities Authority.

According to Ocean City officials, von der Hayden has helped secure more than $55 million in grants and other funding for public projects throughout his career.

Those projects have included flood resiliency improvements, bicycle and pedestrian transportation initiatives, lagoon remediation, historic restoration, library construction and roadway, stormwater, water and sewer infrastructure improvements.

His earlier work in Ocean City included helping develop the municipality's capital improvement program and obtaining funding for infrastructure projects.

During his previous tenure, the city secured $11.1 million in capital grants and another $6.2 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency funding related to Hurricane Sandy recovery.

Gillian praised von der Hayden's previous performance and expressed confidence in his return.

“We got the best,” the mayor said during Thursday's council meeting.

Von der Hayden also expressed enthusiasm about returning to Ocean City.

“It’s great to be back. It’s a great group of people,” he said following the meeting.

The incoming administrator holds a bachelor's degree in biological sciences from Rowan University, a Master of Business Administration from Rutgers University and a Master of Public Administration from Villanova University.

He is also completing doctoral studies in public administration at Old Dominion University.

His professional credentials include certifications in project management, floodplain management, emergency management and public-sector labor relations.

Von der Hayden was named Outstanding Manager of the Year in 2022 by the New Jersey Municipal Management Association and received the organization's Career Development Award in 2021.

He also teaches an Effective City Management course as an adjunct faculty member in Villanova University's Master of Public Administration program.

City Council waived Ocean City's municipal residency requirement for the position, allowing von der Hayden to continue living with his family in the Petersburg section of Upper Township.

The leadership transition also marks the end of an unusual shared-services arrangement.

Savastano has served as business administrator for both Ocean City and Sea Isle City since 2018. Although he is retiring from his Ocean City position, he will continue serving as Sea Isle City's business administrator.

His background in engineering and municipal administration has played an important role in Ocean City's infrastructure planning, including beach and dune restoration projects.

Gillian thanked Savastano for his years of service and said the administration looks forward to continuing its work under von der Hayden's leadership.

The incoming administrator will assume responsibility during a period of significant municipal investment, including Boardwalk reconstruction, stormwater improvements and public facility upgrades.

Among the challenges facing Ocean City are maintaining aging infrastructure, managing the demands of seasonal tourism and balancing capital spending with the financial interests of local taxpayers.

Von der Hayden's experience securing grants and managing large municipal projects is expected to be central to those efforts.

His appointment takes effect November 23.