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Kerry Lamson earned a bachelor's degree in finance and economics from Penn State University. He has lived in Matthews for 15 years with his wife Jeannie. He is a founding member of the Matthews Housing Alliance. 

Kerry Lamson, Matthews Board of Commissioners candidate, answers our questions

Kerry's run for Matthews Town Commissioner is his entry into elected politics. He served in appointed roles as vice chair of the Matthews Planning Board and chair of the Affordable Housing Committee. 

Kerry is a retired business executive. He held a variety of executive roles at different companies, including CEO of eBiz Perspectives and Open Network for Commerce Exchange. 

Supports performance-based grants that return a portion of new tax revenue to businesses creating jobs and investing in Matthews.

Supports expanding facade improvement grants to areas beyond downtown, like Monroe Road or Hwy 51, to incentivize private investment in underdeveloped retail strips.

Supports using tourism grants to fund events and marketing that boost downtown foot traffic, and believes these grants could be paired with small business incentives to activate storefronts and adjacent areas.

Supports fiscal responsibility, transparency, and long-term cost reduction through a 10-year capital improvement plan, aggressive grant-seeking, and energy savings performance contracts.

- Supports performance-based grants that return a portion of new tax revenue to businesses creating jobs and investing in Matthews.
- Supports expanding facade improvement grants to areas beyond downtown, like Monroe Road or Hwy 51, to incentivize private investment in underdeveloped retail strips.
- Supports using tourism grants to fund events and marketing that boost downtown foot traffic, and believes these grants could be paired with small business incentives to activate storefronts and adjacent areas.
- Supports fiscal responsibility, transparency, and long-term cost reduction through a 10-year capital improvement plan, aggressive grant-seeking, and energy savings performance contracts.

Economy

Believes choosing the right town manager is vital to Matthews’ future, saying "We need a leader with vision, integrity and a deep respect for our small-town character — someone who can manage growth, guide infrastructure and build community trust. They must be fiscally responsible, equity-minded and experienced in public service."

- Believes choosing the right town manager is vital to Matthews’ future, saying "We need a leader with vision, integrity and a deep respect for our small-town character — someone who can manage growth, guide infrastructure and build community trust. They must be fiscally responsible, equity-minded and experienced in public service."

Public Services

Supports housing that balances "affordability, design and neighborhood fit."

Supports "smart, sustainable development" that aligns with timely improvements for roads, parks, and transit.

Supports creating workforce and senior housing, mixed-income options, and projects that offer "real affordability."

- Supports housing that balances "affordability, design and neighborhood fit."
- Supports "smart, sustainable development" that aligns with timely improvements for roads, parks, and transit.
- Supports creating workforce and senior housing, mixed-income options, and projects that offer "real affordability."

Housing & Urban Development

Believes in investing in local public safety personnel and addressing issues like housing, workload, recruitment, wellness, and community connection to maintain Matthews as a desirable place for public safety professionals to serve.

- Believes in investing in local public safety personnel and addressing issues like housing, workload, recruitment, wellness, and community connection to maintain Matthews as a desirable place for public safety professionals to serve.

Public Safety

Supports mandating Traffic Impact Analyses (TIAs) for all projects affecting roads.

Plans to request crosswalks, signal adjustments, and speed studies on state roads with high crash rates.

- Supports mandating Traffic Impact Analyses (TIAs) for all projects affecting roads.
- Plans to request crosswalks, signal adjustments, and speed studies on state roads with high crash rates.

Transportation & Infrastructure

As of September 4, 2025, Kerry Lamson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Education

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Kerry Lamson

- Supports performance-based grants that return a portion of new tax revenue to businesses creating jobs and investing in Matthews.
- Supports expanding facade improvement grants to areas beyond downtown, like Monroe Road or Hwy 51, to incentivize private investment in underdeveloped retail strips.
- Supports using tourism grants to fund events and marketing that boost downtown foot traffic, and believes these grants could be paired with small business incentives to activate storefronts and adjacent areas.

Kerry is a technology and finance executive. He has worked at major companies like PeopleSoft and Oracle, helped build a successful small business from the ground up, and led a nonprofit global organization.

Kerry Lamson's campaign for Matthews Town Commissioner is his first entry into politics.

Supports publishing a clear 10-year capital improvement plan, aggressively expanding grant-seeking, and implementing energy savings performance contracts to modernize facilities and reduce long-term costs.

Supports partnering with nonprofits, incentivizing developers to include affordable units, and redeveloping aging commercial centers into mixed-use housing that serves seniors, families, and workers.

Supports updating the Unified Development Ordinance to implement the new Crestdale Neighborhood Plan, which aims to guide housing and development goals for the historic community of Matthews by making zoning recommendations mandatory, allowing increased density, and revising land-use regulations to facilitate affordable development.

Supports a Town-sponsored Essential Worker Homebuyer Assistance Program to offer down payment support or favorable loan terms to police officers, firefighters, EMTs, nurses, and teachers.

Supports hiring more civilian staff, using community service officers for non-urgent calls, and offering flexible scheduling to reduce burnout in law enforcement.

Supports partnering with local schools and colleges to develop cadet programs, recruiting from underrepresented communities, and introducing referral bonuses to attract and retain police officers.

Supports providing confidential mental health resources, subsidized gym memberships, and encouraging vacation time for police officers.

Supports state and federal grants to fund new hires, equipment, or retention programs for law enforcement.

Supports investing in affordable housing, improving transit options, protecting tenants, and ensuring infrastructure supports all neighborhoods.

Advocates for expanded school capacity, safe neighborhoods, better parks, and improved roads for working parents.

Linkedin

Kerry Lamson earned a bachelor's degree in finance and economics from Penn State University. 

- Town commissioners serve as the legislative body for the town government. 
- Town commissioners have the authority to decide the services offered to the town, pass the budget, decide the property tax, acquire property, and enter into agreements with other governments. 
- The town commissioners can create or abolish any offices, positions, departments, etc. to improve the organization of the town. 
- Town commissioners may make investigations into the town or any of its departments or agencies. 
- Most town commissioners in Georgia are elected in odd years to staggered 4 year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. 