The Nature Conservancy in Georgia Announces the Appointment of H. Dwight Mathews as Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Atlanta—July 28, 2006—The Nature Conservancy announced today the appointment of H. Dwight Mathews (left), a partner with Deloitte & Touche in Atlanta, as chairman of the Board of Trustees for its Georgia program, a position held by former Lieutenant Governor Pierre Howard since 2003. Mathews will take over the reigns as chairman on July 1, 2006.

"As a long-time supporter and volunteer leader for charitable causes in the Atlanta area, Dwight Mathews has repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to conservation and to maintaining our quality of life throughout Georgia," said Tavia McCuean, vice president and state director of The Nature Conservancy in Georgia. "At such a crucial time in our work to preserve Georgia’s natural areas, we are delighted that Dwight will be leading our efforts."

A two-time graduate of the University of Georgia, receiving his bachelor’s degree in business and his master’s degree in accounting, Mathews has 39 years of public accounting experience. During that time, he has serviced national clients and, for 14 years, managed Deloitte & Touche’s Atlanta Assurance and Advisory Services practice.

Mathews has been a member of The Nature Conservancy’s Board of Trustees in Georgia since 2001, and has served as treasurer since July 2003. Mathews is also the past president of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Metro Atlanta and a board member of the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta and the North Georgia College and State University Foundation. He is an alumnus of Leadership Atlanta and Leadership Gwinnett and is a member of the University of Georgia Tull School of Accounting Advisory Council, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Georgia Society of Certified Public Accountants.

"The Nature Conservancy’s global mission of ‘saving the last great places on earth’ really inspired me to become an active member of the organization and to support the protection of natural diversity in my home state of Georgia," Mathews said. "I am honored to follow the legacies of past chairs such as Pierre Howard in leading The Nature Conservancy on its quest to conserve important natural areas throughout Georgia."

A member of The Nature Conservancy’s Board of Trustees in Georgia for eight years, Howard served as chairman from 2003 to 2006. During Howard’s tenure as the chairman of The Nature Conservancy’s Board of Trustees in Georgia, The Nature Conservancy protected 40,139 acres of land throughout the state, including finalizing an agreement with the International Paper Company to protect 24,012 acres in south Georgia as part of the largest private upland conservation deal ever brokered in the history of the state.

"We are truly grateful for all of the work and support that Pierre Howard has done on our behalf over the years," said McCuean. "We look forward to Pierre’s continued role as a member of The Nature Conservancy’s Board of Trustees as we move forward with our mission to protect natural places throughout Georgia for the benefit of people and nature."

Previous chairs of The Nature Conservancy’s Board of Trustees in Georgia include John Sherrill, Doug Cockrill and Tricia Allen. Currently, 31 members, from throughout Georgia, are members of the board of trustees.

Photo: H. Dwight Mathews (photo courtesy of Dwight Mathews)