News

Brookgreen Gardens Announces Election of Two New Members to Board of Trustees

Published

2 years ago

August 29, 2022

Press Release

Brookgreen Gardens, a National Historic Landmark, is pleased to announce the election of two new members to the Board of Trustees. Joining the board are J. Matthew Brittain (right) and Caroline Schmitt.

“Brookgreen has been fortunate to have many people dedicated to its growth and development over the last 90 years,” said Page Kiniry, President and CEO of Brookgreen. “Matthew Brittain and Caroline Schmitt are two longtime supporters who will help advance Brookgreen into the next generation, overseeing our strategic planning and providing oversight and accountability for Brookgreen.”

Matthew Brittain, a native of Myrtle Beach, has worked in the hospitality industry since his childhood days helping his father at the Chesterfield Inn. He is Chief Executive Officer of MB National, LLC and Brittain Resorts & Hotels, where he has been employed since 1985. In 1980, he received a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina. In 1984, he received a master’s degree from the University of South Carolina. After working in Europe, he worked for Manor Care in the Washington, D.C. area until 1985, when he returned to Myrtle Beach to work as General Manager at the Sea Island Inn, a family business. Matthew has served on the Board of Directors of the Grand Strand Tee Time Network, the Long Bay Symphony, and The Boys & Girls Club. Additionally, he has served on the MB National, LLC Board and the Brittain Resorts & Hotels Board. He is married to the former Marie-Claire Tyden, and they have three children, Anne-Louise, Christine, and Nicholas.

Caroline Schmitt (right) is from Greenville, S.C. and earned a bachelor’s degree from Southern Methodist University with a major in foreign languages. She has a great appreciation for art in all forms and enjoyed studying abroad and visiting many museums. Before getting married and having children, she was an art dealer for a Russian artist and some local Greenville artists. Caroline serves on numerous boards in the community, including the Harold Jennings Foundation, St. Francis Hospital Foundation, and Camperdown Academy. She enjoys hiking, biking, reading, anything outdoors, flying, and Bible study. She and her husband, Clif, have three children.