New Business Administrator To Take Over In Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, NJ — Ocean City has selected its next business administrator, with Mayor Jay Gillian announcing the appointment of Matt von der Hayden after City Council approved the move on Thursday, Oct. 22.

Von der Hayden will take over the role on Nov. 23, 2026, with an annual salary of $250,000.

Von der Hayden will succeed George Savastano, 66, who is retiring from the Ocean City position after a career in engineering and public administration. Savastano had served as Ocean City’s business administrator since 2018 under a shared services agreement with Sea Isle City.

Gillian announced the appointment in a statement and pointed to continuity in city operations as the administration changes hands.

“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.”

Before this appointment, von der Hayden served as capital planning manager in Ocean City. He later worked as deputy township administrator in Egg Harbor Township and then as township administrator in Stafford Township for seven years. He also previously worked as a project manager for the Atlantic County Utilities Authority.

According to the city announcement, von der Hayden has more than 20 years of public-sector experience, including 15 years tied to project management, grants and municipal management. The announcement says he has helped obtain more than $55 million in grants and other funding for projects including resiliency work, walking and biking transportation improvements, lagoon remediation, a new library, historical restoration, and roadway, stormwater, water and sewer infrastructure.

Von der Hayden holds a bachelor of science degree in biological sciences from Rowan University, an MBA from Rutgers University and a Master of Public Administration from Villanova University. According to the announcement, he is finishing a PhD in public administration at Old Dominion University.

His listed professional credentials include the International City/County Management Association Credentialed Manager designation, SHRM-SCP, Project Management Professional, Certified Floodplain Manager, FEMA certification, Certified Emergency Manager and several other certificates related to labor relations, land use, planning and water and wastewater leadership. The city also said von der Hayden serves as a part-time adjunct faculty member in Villanova’s Master of Public Administration program, teaching an “Effective City Management” course.

He lives in the Petersburg section of Upper Township with his wife, Melissa, and their three children.