Georgia Forestry Association (GFA)
Matt Hestad
Matt Hestad is the Vice President of Engagement for the Georgia Forestry Association (GFA). In this role, he is responsible for all internal and external communications and engagement efforts focused on promoting Georgia’s $41.3 billion forestry sector.
Prior to joining GFA full time in 2019, Matt worked for seven years with HL Strategy, an Atlanta-based communications consultancy. There he led the development and execution of communications strategies and campaigns for a variety of clients in the non-profit, natural resources, and manufacturing sectors. He was also instrumental in re-branding Georgia Forestry Magazine, which has served as the premiere forestry publication in Georgia since 2017. Since 2019, he has assisted in the growth of GFA’s Communications Team to include three full-time communicators who manage internal and external communications for the Association and the Georgia Forestry Foundation.
Matt received a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Communications from the University of Georgia and an associate degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. He is also a 2021 graduate of UGA’s Advancing Georgia’s Leaders in Agriculture and Forestry and a 2018 graduate of Leadership Newton. Matt and his wife Bianca and son Boomer reside in Covington, Georgia, where they are active members of Eastridge Church.