Matthew Ugaldea

Matt Ugaldea has been practicing forestry for over 20 years. His career started in 1998 working in the forests of Western Montana for a small logging company. In 2000 he graduated from the University of Montana with a Bachelor’s of Science degree from the School of Forestry where he obtained a Forestry degree with an emphasis in resource conservation and forest soils. Shortly after obtaining his degree, Matt went to work for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR). During this time, he worked in the forests of Okanogan, Ferry, Stevens, Pend Oreille, Spokane and Lincoln counties. Matt has diverse experience in timber management, wildland fire fighting, small landowner assistance, siliviculture and forest policy. In 2018, Matt left the DNR to peruse a career with Avista Utilities, where he currently acts as the System Forester, and is actively engaged in utility arboriculture and wildfire resilience.
When not at work, Matt enjoys spending time with his wife (Shay) and two kids (Gus and Lucy) skiing and snowboarding, fishing and, camping in their tent trailer.