The first time Matt Andre came to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem was around 2008 when he drove through Yellowstone National Park in a day. The next time was in 2017 when he came through and stayed longer than expected on a camping trip. The next was in 2020 when he ended up staying for three seasons. The last was in 2023, and since then he has called the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and Jackson, home. Joining up with Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris that same year as our Operations Manager, keeping things running smoothly for everyone involved in the company from guests to guides to those behind the scenes.
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Bio
In 2020, Matt Andrae sold his bakery of twenty-one years in Amador City, California, and headed on a road trip with his wife, Kimberly. Their destination: South Dakota. However, they would never arrive there. They made it 1,060 out of the 1,502 miles required before their journey halted unexpectedly during their third trip through Yellowstone National Park. While staying at the Pebble Creek Campground, Matt learned that the host was leaving. He approached her and asked, “How can I get your job?” Within the week, he had the position and would end up staying in Yellowstone for three summers and one winter. While staying in Yellowstone he would be a campground host, a volunteer ranger in Lamar Valley, and a mail carrier during the floods of 2022.
Matt was always in the outdoors growing up in the foothills of the Sierras. Whether it was climbing through old mineshafts and horseback riding as a kid, or riding his motorcycle and hiking as an adult. It wasn’t until he was an adult that he truly realized the healing clarity that came with going out onto the trails. During his bakery days, it was constant interaction with people and food orders, and while he enjoyed what he did, the Sierras were his mental check. The silence and solitude allowed him to regroup and recenter before going back to it. And while in Yellowstone, he could see this in other people, the adjustment to the silence – to that initially unsettling regrouping – and he enjoyed seeing people gain, or regain, that touch with nature.
After a short dalliance as a guide in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, from later 2022 to 2023, he found his way back to the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Jackson was on his radar, though he didn’t think he could ever live in the area. Lo and behold he found housing, and through the Jackson Daily, he found Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris’ job ad. Since then he has become our operations manager where he helps make things around here more organized and efficient for guests, guides, and folks in the office.
When not at his desk or driving for Jackson Hole Wildlife Safaris, Matt could be in a few different places. He could be at the gym, where he enjoys learning how to make his body do what he wants it to. He could also be out hiking, especially at the alpine level, with Kimberly. Or, coaching the Jackson Stingrays – the local swim team.
