Matt and his wife Ginny have called Swannanoa home since 2005. Area residents since 1992, they moved into the Bee Tree Forest community so their four kids, now grown, could be closer to Asheville Christian Academy, where they attended school. One daughter (and granddaughter) now live in Beacon Village. The Barkers are both realtors affiliated with Nest Realty Asheville, and do the bulk of their business in Swannanoa, East Asheville, and Black Mountain.

Matt loves Swannanoa for its scenic beauty, its rich history, and its caring people. He has participated in FANS events on and off for some time, and with “empty nest” years ahead, sees service on the FANS board as an opportunity to give back to Swannanoa in greater measure. When he has spare time, he enjoys “landscape photojournalism”—documenting current-day Swannanoa so that future generations will have a feel for our times in this beautiful place. He enjoys hikes in the mountains, driving the back roads, and researching local history.