| Matt Rapp: Leading the Charge for Conservation at NFLT |
| For our penultimate post in our 25 Weeks of Memories for 25 Years of Conservation series we want to recognize and say thank you to someone who has been all in with us at NFLT for the past five years, from when he joined the board in 2019 and through to his final days as our Board Chair, Matt Rapp.
North Florida Land Trust (NFLT) welcomed a new era of board leadership in January 2023 when Matt Rapp officially assumed the role of board chair. Matt, a long-standing advocate for conservation and community enrichment, brought a wealth of professional experience and a deep-rooted commitment to protecting the natural beauty of North Florida. His leadership came at a critical time for land conservation efforts in the region.
A well-respected figure in the sports and entertainment industries, Matt recently retired from the PGA TOUR where he was the Senior Vice President of Championship Management. In that role, he oversaw 13 TOUR-owned and operated events, including prestigious tournaments such as THE PLAYERS Championship, the TOUR Championship, and the Presidents Cup. His vision and strategic approach played a pivotal role in elevating THE PLAYERS Championship as the PGA TOUR’s flagship event. During his tenure as Executive Director from 2011 to 2016, Rapp prioritized enhancing the fan experience, increasing charitable impact, and solidifying the tournament’s connection with the local Jacksonville community. Matt now runs his own consulting firm based out of Ponte Vedra.
Matt first joined the NFLT board of directors in 2019, then stepped up to serve as vice chair under then-chair John Delaney in 2022. He became chairman of the board of directors in January 2023 and has been highly focused on moving the needle for NFLT. As chairman, Matt helped lead the organization’s rebranding efforts, he helped the organization collectively raise $5 million over the past 2 years, and he supported NFLT’s conservation efforts by acting as an advocate and fundraiser. Under each year of Matt’s leadership of the board, there has been 100% board giving. Matt introduced NFLT to the PGA TOUR and THE PLAYERS Championship and helped secure a top-level sponsorship of NFLT’s Annual Meeting for the past three years. In 2023, Matt co-hosted a friend-raising event in Ponte Vedra to introduce new community members to the organization and raise funds to acquire conservation lands in North Florida.
NFLT’s mission is to protect and preserve environmentally sensitive lands, and Matt’s leadership as chairman is at the core of what makes NFLT a robust, strategic, and practical nonprofit organization. As the population in Northeast Florida continues to grow, natural areas face increasing pressure from development and organizations like NFLT play a vital role in protecting these spaces for future generations. Matt’s expertise in fostering community connections and driving meaningful impact helped advance NFLT’s mission and goals during his tenure on the board.
Whether working to acquire critical lands, protecting fragile ecosystems, or fostering community partnerships, Matt’s leadership has ensured that NFLT remains a powerful force for conservation in the region. |
