Avon Lake Resident Brings Navy Experience to City Council

Matt Reynolds, a Bowling Green graduate and former Navy officer, joins Avon Lake City Council with a focus on community and economic development.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 2:07pm

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Avon Lake, Ohio has seen some changes to its city council in 2026, with new faces sharing a common theme of love for the community and a desire to make Avon Lake a family-friendly place. One such new council member is Matt Reynolds, a Bowling Green graduate who later joined the U.S. Navy and traveled the world before returning home to Avon Lake, where he now works in the medical devices field and is raising his family.

Why it matters

Reynolds' background as a Navy veteran and his experience living and working around the country bring a unique perspective to the Avon Lake City Council. As the community grapples with the closure of a major power plant, Reynolds hopes to help shape the future development of that area to bring the community together.

The details

After graduating from Bowling Green, Reynolds joined the U.S. Navy, where he worked on electronic weaponry and traveled extensively, living in Hawaii, Washington, and Virginia, and visiting Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. He retired from the Navy with the rank of Petty Officer Second Class. When he returned to civilian life, Reynolds was able to purchase the home he grew up in from his grandparents, who had built the house. He now works as a field engineer in the medical devices industry, a job that allows him to be closer to his family in Avon Lake.

  • Reynolds graduated from Bowling Green in 2004.
  • Reynolds joined the U.S. Navy after college.
  • Reynolds retired from the Navy and returned to Avon Lake.
  • Reynolds purchased the home he grew up in from his grandparents.
  • Reynolds joined the Avon Lake City Council in 2026.

The players

Matt Reynolds

A Bowling Green graduate who joined the U.S. Navy after college, traveled the world, and has now returned to Avon Lake, where he is raising his family and serving on the city council.

Avon Lake City Council

The governing body of Avon Lake, Ohio, which has seen some new faces join in 2026, including Matt Reynolds.

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What they’re saying

“We got to see everything, which was awesome. I got to work with some really cool people and really smart people. It was really fun, and the the military is really a cross section of the population. That's eye opening when you are working with people from Puerto Rico, Alaska, Texas – just everywhere. It's been a great experience and I truly enjoyed my time in the Navy.”

— Matt Reynolds (cleveland.com)

“The thing that really drove me to do it was when the news of the power plant coming down and what all that would mean for that city. My grandfather and my great grandfather both retired from that plant, so that there's that connection. I'm sure several families in this city and the city itself was well supported and have great lives because of that power plant. It's transformational from the city and I want to make sure that whatever goes in its place is worthy.”

— Matt Reynolds (cleveland.com)

What’s next

Reynolds plans to focus on issues such as funding for street repairs, law enforcement, and continued economic development as a member of the Avon Lake City Council and the city planning commission.

The takeaway

Reynolds' background as a Navy veteran and his desire to give back to his hometown of Avon Lake make him a unique addition to the city council, as the community navigates the closure of a major power plant and looks to shape its future development.