Jack O'Donnell Award: Matt Long
WOOSTER - Ever since his childhood days, Matt Long’s parents — Greg and Kathy Long — and grandparents — the late Ralph and Grace Jones — demonstrated the importance of community service. Those lessons have remained with Long all his life, which is why he is this year’s recipient of the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce’s Jack O’Donnell Award.
His forebears on the Long side have been part of the Wooster community for about two centuries, which is part of the reason he returned home after graduating from the University of Dayton School of Law.
Ralph Jones, the founder of Wooster Glass Co., often said to Long and anybody else, “If the community has been good to you, you should, in return, leave something to the community.”
Long took those words to heart. Like his father, he was very active in and served the community through Scouting. He started his Eagle Scout project as a 12-year-old and completed it when he was 13. While a student at The College of Wooster, he often helped coach and judge the Wooster High School Speech and Debate Team.
“Community engagement has been instilled in Matt from a young age, and these qualities have benefited the community in recent years. From downtown development to overall community engagement, Matt is a community leader that will leave his mark for years to come,” said Samira Zimmerly, president of the Wooster Chamber. “Matt is always there to support countless nonprofit organizations and community initiatives through either financial contributions or professional services.”
Graduated from the University of Dayton School of Law
After Long graduated from the University of Dayton School of Law, he began practicing with Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston. He became very active in the community on several fronts: He serves on the board of the Ralph R. and Grace B. Jones Foundation, which supports a number of community efforts; he has served on several boards, including the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce, Wayne Center for the Arts; Main Street Wooster; the Wooster Cemetery Association; Pee Wee Hollow Scout Camp; The Village Network; Great Decisions of Wayne County; and Montessori School of Wooster.
Long, with partners, has helped redevelop real estate in downtown Wooster, especially on the east end of Liberty Street. His goal is to help Wooster flourish.
“I serve because I want my family to live in a great place,” Long said. “Wooster is a very special community.
“I am deeply honored to receive this award, and look forward to continuing to serve our community,” Long said.