Meet the Staff: A Conversation with Matt Singh, director of government affairs with the Flexible Packaging Association
From spelling bee champion to a career in advocacy
FlexPack VOICE® has featured the staff of the Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) in a series of short profiles since 2022. Matt Singh, FPA director of government affairs, joined FPA in February. Singh started his career at a South Florida political consulting firm, working on political campaigns, ballot referendums, and public affairs campaigns.
“After gaining a few years of experience, I moved to Washington, D.C., to work at the Environmental Defense Fund, focusing on climate issues,” he says. “That role gave me invaluable experience in both state and federal policy.”
Before joining FPA, he had been director of advocacy and media relations at the International Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association (ICCFA), where he led those functions for just over a year.
“Looking back, I believe this diverse background gives me a uniquely well-rounded perspective on flexible packaging and has prepared me perfectly for my role here today,” Singh says.
Early life
While born on the Caribbean Island of Trinidad and Tobago, Singh spent most of his early life in South Florida, particularly Palm Beach County.
“That is where I grew up and went to school, graduating from Seminole Ridge High School,” he says. “Some fun Facts: I am a former spelling bee champion. And at one point, I actually owned a duck farm.”
At Florida Atlantic University, he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2014.
“I always knew I wanted to get into politics, but I started with zero connections or firsthand experience,” Singh says. “My career path hasn’t been a straight line or confined to just one industry. Honestly, luck and coincidence played a part.”
FlexPack VOICE®: Talk a little bit about your duties with FPA.
Matt Singh: As the director of government affairs at FPA, I manage various aspects of our government affairs portfolio. This includes monitoring, reporting, and lobbying on state and federal legislation. Specifically, I focus on FPA’s advocacy efforts on extended producer responsibility (EPR), chemicals in packaging, labeling, recycled-content mandates, advanced recycling, and international tariffs and trade, while also supporting our relevant FPA committees and councils.
FPV: What aspect of the job do you like best and what are some of the challenges going forward?
MS: I truly enjoy serving our members, advocating on their behalf, and speaking with elected officials throughout the country. It is incredibly rewarding to know that the work we do makes a tangible impact. The biggest challenge right now is simply the sheer volume of legislation hitting our industry. Navigating a patchwork of EPR bills, labeling laws, and the Federal Drug Administration’s Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) across states and at the federal level requires constant vigilance.
FPV: What do you like to do when you are not working?
MS: When I am off the clock, I am an avid reader and a big fan of good movies and TV shows. On the weekends, you can usually find me playing volleyball, exploring a museum, browsing a used bookstore, or hunting through thrift and antique stores for art to decorate my apartment.
FPV: Any favorite sports teams?
MS: When it comes to sports, my South Florida roots run deep. I actively root for the Florida Panthers, Miami Heat, Miami Dolphins, and Miami Marlins. However, I do have one outlier: the Baltimore Ravens. I am proof that you can absolutely have two favorite football teams.
FPV: Anything you would like to say about family?
MS: I do not have a spouse, kids, or pets at the moment—unless you count my fish. However, my family is truly global. We are spread out across the world.
FPV: Any parting wisdom?
MS: Some quotes I live by:
- “Growth is painful, change is painful, but nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong.”
- “You can’t be late twice.”
- “No one cares about you as much as you care about yourself.”
And my life advice: Seek out things that cause you discomfort. It is truly the only way to overcome your fears and anxiety.
Thomas A. Barstow is senior editor of FlexPack VOICE®.
