Placement:  Wallowa-Whitman National  Forest

 Position:      Range Assistant

“I’m excited to serve as a range assistant. I feel my prior experience and skills will serve me and the Forest Service well.”

Matt was born in Medford, Oregon in 1987. When he was 7 years old his family moved to Wallowa county where he spent most of his adolescent years outdoors hiking, camping, hunting, fishing and countless other things the Wallowa mountains had to offer. In 2007 he joined the Oregon Army National Guard as a 19D Cavalry Scout. During his time in service he helped in flood relief efforts in parts of central Oregon and attended disaster relief training exercises. In 2009 Matt deployed to Baghdad, Iraq as a member of a personnel security detail. While deployed he took part in many high-risk security missions escorting high-ranking officers of the U.S. and foreign countries alike. Matt also assisted in the security of Vice President Joe Biden during the V.P.’s time in Baghdad. In 2012 Matt attended 68W combat medical school and received a National Registry Emergency Medical Technician certificate. Upon his arrival back to his National Guard unit Matt filled a medic slot to help support the health, well-being and medical readiness of his fellow soldiers.

Matt is currently living back in Wallowa county where his mother still resides and is participating as a VetsWork Americorps intern with the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest where he will utilize his background and knowledge of the Wallowa mountains and surrounding environment as a Range Assistant.  This is where Matt feels he belongs.