Living the Mission: Engaged and Persuasive,Jake 
Matthews, ’16

Jake Matthews, ’16, has built a career around conversations that matter. As Vice President of Government Affairs for the Georgia Forestry Association, he spends his days working with elected officials, policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders to advocate for Georgia’s forestry community. Whether in Atlanta or Washington, D.C., his work requires thoughtful communication, strong relationships, and a willingness to engage with people from a variety of perspectives. 

Jake’s interest in public policy began while studying Agribusiness at the University of Georgia. During college, he served as an Agricultural Fellow in Washington, D.C., gaining firsthand exposure to the legislative process and discovering a passion for agricultural policy. After graduation, he interned in Gov. Brian Kemp’s policy office before joining the Georgia Farm Bureau’s Public Policy Department. Those experiences helped lay the foundation for a career focused on agriculture, forestry, natural resources, and public advocacy. Today, he represents one of Georgia’s most important industries, helping shape policy that impacts communities across the state. 

While Jake’s career path took shape after high school, many of the skills he relies on today were first developed at FPD.  

“FPD did a really good job of putting students in situations where they had to do all of these things: becoming good at leading, collaborating, and speaking,” he said. “FPD set the foundation for me by giving me and others the opportunity to practice while the stakes were low, so that we would be able to rise to the occasion as the stakes increased later in our lives and careers.”  

Through rigorous academics, extracurricular involvement, and opportunities to serve in leadership roles, he learned how to navigate challenges and make thoughtful decisions about where to invest his time and energy. Those lessons continue to influence both his professional and personal life. 

At the heart of Jake’s approach is a belief that meaningful relationships are essential to effective leadership.  

“You can both genuinely care about other people and their beliefs even when they may be different from your own—and do so without compromising on your own values,” he said.  

In a profession where disagreement is often inevitable, Jake has found that respect, trust, and a sincere desire to understand others create opportunities for productive dialogue and lasting solutions. 

He points to the influence of FPD’s teachers and coaches, who modeled dedication, humility, and genuine care for their students. Looking back, Jake says those relationships helped shape not only his work ethic but also his understanding of what meaningful leadership looks like. He points to the lasting impact of Coach A’s (Rennie Atkinson) AP European History class, teaching him that success requires dedication and hard work, while Coach Shane Hall modeled the calm, steady leadership that earns the respect of others. Looking back, he says he has come to appreciate something he did not fully recognize as a student—the genuine investment FPD’s faculty and staff make in the lives of their students. 

Most importantly, Jake credits FPD with giving him a foundation rooted in faith. He believes that having Christ at the center of his education shaped not only how he approached college and his career, but also how he treats others and determines what truly matters. That sense of purpose and conviction continues to guide him today, providing a steady foundation for both his work and his life.