RICHMOND, VA (November 3, 2025) — Advantus Strategies, a Richmond-based consulting firm specializing in government relations and strategic advisory services, today announced that Matthew S. Wells has been hired as Senior Vice President and lead for the firm's Environment, Energy, and Resilience Practice.
Wells most recently served as Director of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (2022–2025) and previously held senior government relations roles at WestRock, now Smurfit WestRock. He brings more than two decades of experience in public policy, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement, with a proven track record of success in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.
“Matt brings a wealth of insight into both government operations and business priorities that aligns exceptionally well with our clients’ objectives,” said Robert G. Crockett, President. “Matt, along with other members of our senior team, Craig Whitham, Lauren Gilbert, and Emily Webb, are well positioned to build on Advantus’s legacy of success.”
Daniel G. ‘Bud’ Oakey, Chairman and Founder, added, “Advantus is committed to delivering value and results for our clients. Matt’s extensive experience, knowledge, and perspective will enhance our capabilities, ensuring that we deliver results for clients’ most pressing policy and legislative needs for years to come.”
About Matt Wells
Trusted by leaders from across the political spectrum, Matt Wells brings a diverse background in environmental policy, regulatory affairs, and business advocacy. Across a career spanning more than two decades in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, Matt has established a track record of success, bridging partisan divides to delivering impactful results. As Director of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, he led the Commonwealth’s lead natural resources conservation agency, overseeing more than 1,700 employees and a two-year budget of nearly $1 billion. During his tenure, he spearheaded major initiatives in natural resource management and resilience. Prior to that, he was Senior Regional Manager for State Government Relations at WestRock, where he directed legislative strategy on forestry, economic development, energy, and environmental policy across multiple states. Wells has also served in senior roles at the Virginia DMV and the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and has been a longtime leader in Virginiaforever, a coalition of businesses and environmental groups. He holds a degree in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia and a Certificate in Sustainability from Virginia Commonwealth University.
About Advantus Strategies
Founded in 1998, Advantus Strategies is a Richmond-based consulting firm that helps businesses and organizations navigate government relations, coalition building, business development, energy and natural resource matters in Virginia. With decades of experience and a deep understanding of the Commonwealth’s public policy landscape, Advantus provides clients with trusted strategic guidance to advance their objectives.
Learn more at AdvantusStrategies.com.