The Overland Expo Foundation is the official 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm of Overland Expo. Established in 2020, the Overland Expo Foundation raises funds during the event series that go directly toward grants for trail cleanups, public land access defense, educational programs, and more within the overlanding community.
Matt Feldermann is the Brand Marketing Director for the Overland Expo Foundation, where he helps advance the organization’s mission through strategic communications, brand development, and industry engagement. He brings over 20 years of experience in the off-road industry, including the past 14 years as Brand Manager for American Expedition Vehicles (AEV), where he has helped shape the brand’s voice, positioning, and connection with the enthusiast community. His work with the Overland Expo Foundation reflects a long-standing commitment to responsible recreation, public-land stewardship, and preserving access to the places that make vehicle-based adventure possible for future generations.
Matt Feldermann Interview
Overland Expo (OE): What does overlanding mean to you, beyond the vehicle and the destination?
Matt Feldermann (MF): To me, overlanding is about much more than the vehicle or where you end up. It’s about the experiences you have along the way—the people you meet, the amazing places you get to see, and the chance to disconnect from the everyday routine for a while.
There’s also something rewarding about being self-sufficient and knowing you can rely on yourself and your vehicle when you’re far from home. But with that freedom comes a responsibility to take care of the places we’re fortunate enough to explore. That combination of adventure, community, and stewardship is really what overlanding means to me.
OE: Tell us a little about your own path into overlanding and the outdoor community.
MF: I’ve been an automotive enthusiast for as long as I can remember, and I’ve always felt most at home outdoors. Overlanding gave me a way to bring those two parts of my life together in a way that just felt natural.
Over the years, I’ve been incredibly fortunate to travel to some amazing places, meet great people, and build a career around an industry and community I genuinely care about. Those experiences have shaped me in ways that go well beyond work. They’ve taught me to appreciate the journey, the people you share it with, and just how fortunate we are to have access to these incredible places.
That perspective is a big part of why I wanted to become involved with the Overland Expo Foundation. I wanted to do my part to help protect access to these places so that other people, and future generations, have the opportunity to experience them, learn from them, and build their own connection to the outdoors.
OE: Why is the work of the Overland Expo Foundation important to you?
MF: The work of the Overland Expo Foundation is important to me because so many of the experiences that have shaped who I am today have happened outdoors. Some of my best memories, strongest friendships, and most meaningful moments have come from exploring new places, spending time on public lands, and sharing those experiences with other people.
The older I get, the more I realize how easy it is to take access to those places for granted. They’ve given me a lot over the years, both personally and professionally, and I feel a real responsibility to help make sure they’re still there for the people who come after us.
That’s what makes the Overland Expo Foundation’s mission so meaningful to me. It gives us a chance to give something back—to protect access, encourage responsible recreation, and help ensure that future generations have the opportunity to build their own memories and connection to the outdoors.
OE: What’s one thing you’d like readers to take away from your story and your work with the Foundation?
MF: If there’s one thing I’d like people to take away, it’s that those of us who work in the automotive and off-road industry have a real stake in protecting access to public lands.
Our industry depends on people having places to explore, travel, and use the vehicles and products we’re all so passionate about. Because of that, I think we also have a responsibility to give back and be part of the effort to protect those opportunities.
That can mean volunteering, donating, supporting organizations doing this work, or simply setting a better example through responsible recreation. However you choose to get involved, the important thing is to do something. If we want these places to be there for the next generation, we all have a role to play in making that happen.
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OE: What do you wish more people understood about the Foundation’s role in the community?
MF: I think one thing people may not realize is just how much the Overland Expo Foundation is able to accomplish for an organization our size.
In 2025, we helped fund 13 different service projects that removed more than 64,000 pounds of trash, improved over 1,000 miles of trails, installed 165 informational signs, helped educate 855 kids about responsible overland travel, and got 166 veterans out on the trail through groups like Fox Bravo Overland, Mind Over Land, and Team Overland. Those are numbers I’m really proud of, but what stands out to me even more is the community behind them. None of that happens without the generosity of our donors, industry partners, and the 330 volunteers who gave their time throughout the year.
That’s one of the things I appreciate most about the Overland Expo Foundation. It gives people who care about these places a way to come together and make a real, visible difference.
OE: We always think a fun question is: if you could describe your perfect trip, what would it sound like?
MF: My perfect trip would be taking a few months to drive from home in Michigan through western Canada and into Alaska with my kids, ideally timing it around the summer solstice and giving ourselves enough time to get off the main roads and really explore along the way.
I’ve been to Alaska a few times, but only on shorter trips where I’ve flown in and out. I’ve always wanted the chance to experience it differently—to spend time in the backcountry, camp in remote places, take the slower route, and see what’s beyond the places you can reach on a quick visit.
More than anything, I’d want the trip to be about the experience we share together. Long days on the road, unexpected stops, incredible scenery, campfires, good stories, and the kind of memories that come from spending that much uninterrupted time exploring with my kids. A trip like that would be hard to beat!
OE: Can you share an example of a project, initiative, grant, partnership, or behind-the-scenes effort that you are particularly proud of?
MF: The Overland Expo Foundation teamed up with AEV, Ride With Respect, the Utah Department of Natural Resources, and a number of friends from across the industry to install fencing along the trail and remove trash along the way. It was a very hands-on day—working alongside people who care about the area, getting dirty, hauling material, picking up trash, and seeing the difference we were able to make by the end of the day.
That’s what made the project so rewarding for me. I’ve spent so much time in Moab over the years enjoying the trails and the landscape, so it felt good to contribute something tangible in return. There’s something really satisfying about being able to look back at the end of the day and know that the work you put in helped take care of a place that has given you so many great memories.
OE: If people want to get involved, what is your best advice?
MF: You don’t have to start with something huge. Volunteer for a trail project, pick up trash, donate to an organization doing good work, or lend your time and skills where they can make a difference. What matters is getting involved.
For those of us who work in the automotive and off-road industry, I think that responsibility is even greater. Our industry depends on people having access to places where they can explore, travel, and use the vehicles and products we’re all so passionate about. If we benefit from that access, we should also be helping protect it.
My challenge to others in the industry is simple: show up. Support the organizations doing the work, encourage your teams and customers to get involved, and make stewardship part of how we operate as a community. If we want these places to be there for the next generation, we all have a role in making that happen.
