Please join us in congratulating Matt Felix, Clubhouse Manager, on his new appointment at Colleton River Club.
Matt joined the Dataw Island team in 2016 as Executive Chef, and in 2019 was promoted to Director of Culinary and Clubhouse Operations. Earlier this year, Matt was named the Dataw Island Clubhouse Manager.
“Matt’s career goal is to become the General Manager of a private club,” said Dataw General Manager Ted Bartlett, “and Colleton has a position that will broaden his resume appeal and allow him more time to focus on project and construction management, with some larger member projects on the horizon.”
Matt has been working a succession plan at Dataw to move toward his goal of becoming a General Manager. With Dataw’s support, he became involved in education with the Club Management Association of America, attending conferences and earning credits, and has begun preparing for the Community Associations Institute certification exam for community management. In his six-year tenure, he has voluntarily taken on a number of special projects such as the Outpost revival, the ballroom renovation project, and most recently assisting with long range facilities master planning efforts.
And, Matt embraced these opportunities. “In addition to building relationships with Dataw Island Members and Staff, I’ve really enjoyed working on capital improvement projects for the betterment of the club.” Matt said that he particularly enjoyed modernizing the kitchen and the Ballroom renovation because of their unique challenges. “I felt a real sense of accomplishment completing the projects without disrupting member services as well as completing the Ballroom renovation during the pandemic.”
Also, for the past six years, Matt has led the strategic modernization of the kitchen with new cooking technology, more efficient equipment, and time-saving methods. Examples are the Rational smart cooking ovens, new walk-in coolers, expanded gas lines, larger hot food holding area, and seafood preparation area. “I strive to give all the staff members the correct tools to complete their jobs, which directly affects that product and level of service that is given to the Dataw Island Member and their guests, and these improvements help us as staff to better serve our members,” Matt explains.
These efforts are not always seen by members, but the results are felt.
Bartlett adds, “As many of you recall, Matt was a major part of a kitchen transformation project that led to much improved satisfaction in the food and beverage department and the overhauling of a dated and tired kitchen."
In his new role, effective July 9th, Matt will assist with the renovation, planning and implementation of the Dye Clubhouse at Colleton River Club, a role which will help him advance to the next step in his career.
“There are so many people over the past six years that have contributed to my success here at Dataw Island Club who I’d like to thank,” Matt says. “Nothing I have done would have been possible without the help and hard work of the outstanding culinary and front of the house team. The House and Social Committee provided much guidance and support, especially Al Sears and Marj Shymske who I first met that hot summer day in 2016. The Dataw Island Club Board of Directors, with continued support and approval of capital projects that have helped me and Dataw Island staff. Phil Marshall and Ted Barber who assisted and guided me with Ballroom Renovation Project -- without their support I could not of completed the project and continued my daily duties at the Clubhouse. And, Ted Bartlett in allowing me to take on these projects and having confidence that a culinarian could advance to the role of Clubhouse Manager. Lastly, to all of the Dataw Island Members who have supported me and the Food and Beverage staff by dining at the Club – thank you for this amazing opportunity!”
Bartlett adds, “Matt's contributions to Dataw Island will be felt for a long time to come. He has left a positive lasting mark on the facilities and operation, and has also helped to hire and nurture a number of excellent staff members. We have some excellent internal talent looking to expand their knowledge and skills and I plan to take the time to review these opportunities."
For the foreseeable future, Blake Hendricks will be representing the kitchen and Brandon Wind will be representing the front of house. Please extend a huge Dataw Island thank you and congratulations to Matt!
Matt and his wife, Carrie, and their 12-year-old son, Adrian, live on Lady's Island with their Chocolate English Lab, Munson, and Stella Blue, a Labradoodle. In his spare time, Matt enjoys enjoy golf, travel, college football (Go Dawgs!!) music, and wood working.