Rep. Robert F. Matzie, D-Allegheny/Beaver, is a lifelong resident of Ambridge and a graduate of Ambridge Area High School. He received an associate’s degree in high technology communications from the Community College of Beaver County and a bachelor's degree in journalism and communications from Point Park University.

As a teen and through college, Matzie worked as a radio host at WMBA Radio in Ambridge. He covered high school sports as a play-by-play announcer for the Management Science Associates Sports Network (msasports.net) heard throughout the tri-state area and on the Internet.

Prior to his election to the House, Matzie worked as a state Senate staffer for 14 years. He also served as mayor of Ambridge from 2003-04, was elected to the Democratic State Committee to represent Beaver County, and served on the Ambridge Planning Commission and the Board of Directors of the Ambridge Redevelopment Corp. as chairman of the Residential Committee.

Matzie was also appointed a member of the multi-municipal committee that developed a joint comprehensive plan known as SHALE, which includes the municipalities of South Heights, Harmony Township, Ambridge, Leetsdale and Economy. He believes in a regional approach to government and plans to continue this relationship with the communities involved. Matzie currently serves as a member of the Beaver County Bridge Committee, which oversees the rehabilitation and continued maintenance of all county bridges.

Matzie identifies six main issues that will be of particular interest during his tenure in the legislature: economic development; education; affordable health care for all Pennsylvanians; transportation, infrastructure planning and funding; development and redevelopment of Pennsylvania's downtowns; and furthering property tax reform. He also would like to address quality-of-life issues such as upgrading and building parks, walking trails and other recreation amenities.

Matzie said he will work on many levels to make the 16th Legislative District and all of western Pennsylvania a wonderful place to live, work and enjoy time with family and friends.

Matzie, who was elected to represent the 16th Legislative District in 2008, is married to Patty and they have a school-age daughter, Claire.