City Council Member Hamel

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Matthew R. "Matt" Hamel 

Council Member
306 Cedar Road 
Chesapeake, VA 23322

Contact Number

Office: 757-382-6153
Email: mhamel@cityofchesapeake.net

Matthew R. "Matt" Hamel was elected to Chesapeake City Council for a 4-year term commencing July 1st, 2018. He is a licensed attorney in three states (Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania). Following service as an active duty Navy JAG Attorney, Hamel founded a law firm that serves military service-members and spouses in domestic relations and criminal matters. The law firm employs a retired Chesapeake Police Officer and a retired Chesapeake school teacher, as well as another former Navy JAG attorney. Prior to entering the civilian legal sector, Hamel served as a Navy prosecutor in the Navy's busiest litigation office, as well as a Staff Judge Advocate to several Commands and Staffs. He also volunteered for deployment to Iraq during the surge (2007-2008) and served inside a Detention Facility in Baghdad where he was responsible for the parole style review boards of the Multi-National Force Review Committee and the review of the high value (Deck of Cards) Detainees. He was selected for promotion to Commander (O-5) in the Navy Reserves in 2017 and continues to serve as a Reservist JAG Attorney.

His military decorations include the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4 awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 awards), the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Expert Pistol Shot Medal and numerous unit and service awards.

Council Member Hamel is married to the former Karen Pries and they are the proud parents of four children, Kayleigh, Rory ("R.J."), Brady and Kennedy.

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts, College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, Massachusetts
  Juris Doctorate, Rutgers University School of Law

City Boards

• Chesapeake City Council Audit Committee, 2019-present

Regional

• Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads, 2019-present
  Chair, Operations and Oversight Committee - 2020-present

Community Service:

• Mayor's Commission on Veterans Affairs, City of Chesapeake (2008-2018)
  Chairman (2015), Vice Chairman (2014), Secretary (2009-2013)

• YMCA of South Hampton Roads
  Board Member: Greenbrier Family YMCA (2015); Hilltop YMCA (2016-2017); Greenbrier Family YMCA (2018).

• Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)
  Life Member, SSG Jonathan K. Dozier Memorial Post 2894, Chesapeake, Va.

Term expires: December 31, 2022