Matthew Wells
Director of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Matthew Wells became DCR director March 21, 2022. He has a background that brings together policy, politics and advocacy, with over two decades of experience in the public, private and nonprofit sectors.
Immediately before joining DCR, he was Senior Regional Manager for State Government Relations for WestRock, a global leader in sustainable fiber-based packaging solutions, where he oversaw the company’s legislative interests in environmental stewardship and sustainability, forestry, economic development and other issues across multiple states.
He also brings substantial experience in state government, having held senior analyst and special advisory positions with Virginia’s departments of Motor Vehicles and Alcoholic Beverage Control.
A strong proponent of water quality improvements and land conservation, Wells has been a leader in Virginiaforever, a nonprofit coalition that brings the business and environmental communities together to advocate for shared natural resources funding priorities. There, he led a diverse group of environmental advocates and business leaders working to encourage greater spending on environmental programs by the Virginia General Assembly.
Wells holds a degree in foreign affairs from the University of Virginia and a certificate in sustainability from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
