FRANZ MATZNER

 

Title: Director of Government Relations

International Campaign for Tibet is pleased to welcome Franz A. Matzner as its new Director of Government Relations. Previously, Matzner served as Director of Federal Affairs for the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). There he campaigned to combat climate change, expand clean energy, and defend the universal right to clean air, clean water, vibrant oceans, and the preservation of indigenous heritages. One of his signature efforts was pursuing permanent protection from offshore drilling for America’s Arctic Ocean, which President Obama granted in 2016. He has testified before committees in both houses of Congress on environmental issues.

Prior to his time at NRDC, Matzner carried out campaigns on behalf of Taxpayers for Common Sense, where he focused on ending harmful and wasteful federal subsidies.

Matzner graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Pennsylvania with a German Studies major and an Asian and Middle Eastern Studies minor, focused in part on the literature, history and practice of Buddhism. He continues those studies today.

Matzner is also a jazz journalist in his spare time and the father of extraordinary twin boys.