Matthew Tuerk is the Mayor of Allentown, Pennsylvania, sworn in on January 3, 2022, as the city's first Latino mayor. His grandmother was a Cuban immigrant who settled in East Stroudsburg, PA, in 1946. Before entering politics, Tuerk spent two decades in economic development, including seven years at the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation. Allentown is 54% Hispanic with a population of 127,000.
MT
Serving
About
Family & Heritage
Grandmother was a Cuban immigrant who settled in East Stroudsburg, PA, in 1946. Grew up surrounded by Cuban traditions and food. Became fluent in Spanish and developed deep interest in Latin American culture through education and work in Panama.
Political Career
Before Politics
Vice President of business attraction at Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (2013-2020); Assistant Director at Allentown Economic Development Corporation (2008-2013); worked in outdoor advertising in Panama for four years; also spent time in Nicaragua
Education
B.S. in International Business (summa cum laude), College of Charleston; MBA in International Economic Development, University of South Carolina (Darla Moore School of Business)
Key Issues & Priorities
Economic development
public safety
infrastructure
workforce development
fiscal responsibility